HC Deb 03 July 1967 vol 749 cc1252-3
18. Mr. Bob Brown

asked the Minister of Health what is the average number of persons per dentist in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area and how this compares with the figure for the South-East and for the rest of England.

Mr. Snow

At 30th September, 1966, 4,296, 3,382 and 4,538 respectively for dentists providing general dental services.

Mr. Brown

Can my hon. Friend elaborate on that answer and give us a comparison with other areas?

Mr. Snow

If my hon. Friend examines these figures at leisure he will see that they provide the information that he wants. It is no use burking the issue; the Northern Economic Planning Region, as a whole, is one of the least favourable in the country from the point of view of the provision of dentists. My right hon. Friend is sponsoring an inquiry into attitudes to dentistry, which he hopes will provide valuable information on the question why demand for general dental services varies from one region to another.