§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Minister of Education if he will indicate the present position with regard to the supply of school dentists.
§ Mr. ButlerIn 1943 the number of dental officers employed by local education authorities was 786 and the time which they gave to school dental treatment was equivalent to that of 633 whole-time officers. The returns for the year ended 31st December, 1944, are not yet1016W complete, but it is probable that the numbers are still much the same. The strength of the school dental staff is obviously insufficient, but no great increase can be expected until the war is over. Gaps have to a small extent been filled by the appointment of alien dentists and the Central Dental War Committee has recently made arrangements whereby the great majority of the newly qualified dentists who are not accepted for service with the Armed Forces of the Crown are being instructed to take temporary appointments in the school dental service.