HC Deb 26 June 1967 vol 749 cc75-6
29. Dr. Winstanley

asked the Minister of Health how much was spent by his Department on dental health education in each of the last three years; and what is the amount budgeted for under this heading this year.

Mr. Snow

Local health authorities have the primary responsibility for dental health education. Expenditure by my Department was about £2,500 in 1964–65 and £3,000 in each of the two subsequent years; it will continue at that level for 1967–68.

30. Dr. Winstanley

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for the dental health education leaflets and posters approved by his Department to be made available free of charge to registered dental practitioners for distribution to their National Health Service patients.

Mr. Snow

Publicity material produced by my Department is available free of charge to dental practitioners. My right hon. Friend welcomes the production of material by other bodies, but he regrets that he has no funds to ensure its free distribution.

Dr. Winstanley

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the leaflets produced by the Oral Hygiene Service, with the approval of the Ministry, have to be paid for in cash by dentists and those produced by the General Dental Council are paid for obliquely by dentists? Does not he agree, now that we are paying £1,200 million a year for the National Health Service, that it is time we devoted a bit more to teaching people how to use it or how to avoid having to use it?

Mr. Snow

I think that the problem to which the hon. Gentleman is addressing himself is the incidence of caries in the early years, and it is a fact that cariogenic substances such as sucrose embodied in such things as lollipops, sweets and sweet drinks present a serious danger, and there is great need for dental education. This is a subject for consideration by the new Health Education Council, and we are taking steps to develop this as and when financial circumstances permit.

Mr. Pavitt

Will my hon. Friend consider extending this beyond the local health authorities and give further publicity to correct oral hygiene for children on television?

Mr. Snow

I am glad to say that the television authorities at present show free of charge certain filmlets dealing with these matters, and we are very grateful to them for it. I understand that these filmlets are short films having a distinct educational value.