§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health if he will give details of the number and results of references by approved societies to regional dental officers for the two latest comparative periods, and the number and results of any questions and inquiries made under Parts V and VI of the Dental Benefit Regulations, 1930, S.R. and O., 1,060?
Sir H. YOUNGThe number of references to the regional dental officers received from approved societies in England and Wales during the last two years was:
1930 … … … 55,352 1931 … … … 52,081 In each year in about 85 per cent. of the cases examined the report of the regional dental officer confirmed entirely or substantially the statement given by the dentist as to the treatment required or the satisfactory completion by him of treatment given. During the year 1931 the number of questions under Part V of the Dental Benefit Regulations dealt with 864W by local reference committees in England and Wales was 375. Two hundred of these were appeals by dentists, of which. 77 were allowed, 84 dismissed, and 39 were decided in a manner not wholly for or wholly against the dentist. Appeals against the decisions of reference committees were lodged in 13 cases. In one of these the appeals committee allowed the appeal in part, and in 12 cases the appeal was dismissed. Inquiries under Part VI of the Dental Benefit Regulations on representations made to the Minister by the Dental Benefit Council have been held in nine cases. The reports of the inquiry committees on six of these cases have already been received, and are now under consideration.