§ 1. Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is aware of the difficulties of obtaining appointments for major dental treatment in Hertfordshire; and what steps he is taking to remedy this.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Dr. John Dunwoody)Yes, Sir. I am inviting representatives of the Hertfordshire Local Dental Committee to meet me to discuss the matter.
§ Mr. AllasonWould the hon. Gentleman make it perfectly clear that anyone is entitled to receive dentures under the National Health Service? Can he be sure that in future people will be able to receive their dentures?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI can certainly confirm that anyone is entitled to receive dentures under the National Health Service and that the individual dentist is entitled to refuse any particular patient before starting on a course of treatment. I should not like to go further until I have had the opportunity of discussing this with the committee concerned.