HC Deb 06 June 2000 vol 351 cc157-8
11. Mr. Peter L. Pike (Burnley)

What discussions he has had with the British Dental Association about the proposed new NHS dental service strategy. [122872]

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. John Denham)

My noble Friend the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath has met representatives from the British Dental Association on several occasions, during which the content of the forthcoming dental strategy has been discussed.

Mr. Pike

My hon. Friend will know that in Burnley, as in many constituencies, many dentists have left the NHS, and it is increasingly difficult for adult patients to get on the list of an NHS dentist. I met BDA members, from both the private sector and the NHS, in Burnley recently, and they are anxiously waiting for the new strategy because they want to know what it means for the dental profession and for the public, and whether there is to be a future for the NHS dental service—I am sure that the Government want one.

Mr. Denham

My hon. Friend is right to refer to the importance of the dental strategy, which we intend to publish in conjunction with the national plan later this summer. Mr. John Renshaw, the chairman of the BDA's executive board, is a member of the modernisation action team, which is examining patient care and speed of access. In the meantime, the Government have taken action to promote NHS dentistry, and my hon. Friend will know that an investing in dentistry grant of £44,000 has been agreed with a practice in Burnley in return for the promise of up to 3,400 new NHS patient registrations. I hope that that will go some way to tackling the problems that he has outlined.

Mr. John Bercow (Buckingham)

In the development of the NHS dental service strategy, what scope does the Minister envisage for co-operation with the private dental sector?

Mr. Denham

Many dentists already offer both private and NHS treatment, but we are especially keen to extend access to NHS dentistry to those who have no access to it. We hope that, by the end of the year, some 40 dental access centres will be open where they are most needed, providing high-quality NHS dentistry for those who cannot find a dentist with whom to register. Because we want dentists engaging in both NHS and private practice to do more in the NHS, we are negotiating a package of about £17 million with the BDA to encourage further NHS registrations.