42. Mrs. Slaterasked the Minister of Health to what extent dentists are refusing to take adults on their lists under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. PowellDentists do not have lists of patients under the National Health Service.
Mrs. SlaterDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that there are people who, because they take their children 27 to a dentist, consider themselves to be on that dentist's list? Is he not aware that, because of the revised conditions, some dentists are saying that they will treat the children, but not the parents, the parents being those who are most likely to want to have teeth out and have new dentures fitted, which is the heaviest cost to them?
§ Mr. PowellIt has always been the case, since the inception of the general dental service, that dentists were free to accept or not to accept a particular patient for a particular treatment, and vice versa, but I will look at any case of difficulty which has come to the hon. Lady's attention.