§ 8. Mr. Andrew George (St. Ives)What assessment he has made of the provision of dental services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; and if he will make a statement. [92591]
§ The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. John Denham)I understand from the health authority that, at 40 per cent., registrations in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are 7 per cent. lower than the England average. In recognition of the problem in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the Government have approved 12 investing in dentistry bids and a personal dental service pilot to establish drop-in dental centres at various locations in the county. I am pleased to say that Cornwall will be at the forefront of modernising dental services. We are working on links with NHS Direct so that a phone call to it will put the patient directly in touch with a clinic that is able to accept them for treatment.
§ Mr. GeorgeBut phone and go where? Does the Minister accept that, with only four practices out of 88 in Cornwall accepting new adult NHS patients, there is a crisis in provision there? Does he also accept that it is time for proper action to address the real problem of access to NHS dentists rather than initiatives that simply seek to grab headlines?
§ Mr. DenhamI am sorry, but the hon. Gentleman misunderstands the situation. The combined effect of the 12 investing in dentistry bids, when they have their full impact, should enable at least another 32,500 patients to register with an NHS dentist. The drop-in centres are expected to treat an additional 28,000 patients a year. That is not empty words for headlines but real action to give new confidence to the NHS dentistry service in Cornwall.