§ 37. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health if he has yet received any recommendations by the Standing Advisory Committee on the care of the teeth and dental health education; and, in view of the disturbing situation with regard to dental decay in children, what plans he has for dealing with the problem.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)The independent Standing Committee on Dental Health Education has the continuing function of guiding and co-ordinating the activities of all the agencies concerned with this subject, and is doing so. I gave an outline of the measures being taken to deal with the problem of dental decay in children in my reply to the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) on 7th December, 1959.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman accept that the deterioration in the standards of children's health is very serious? Is he satisfied that the steps which he proposes will deal adequately with the problem?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere is certainly a great problem, but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, we have many measures in hand, and I hope and think that in due time they will suffice for the problem.