§ 94. Mr. Piratinasked the Minister of Education what is the average number of school-children in the care of each dentist in the school service in the country and in London, respectively; what is his estimate of a satisfactory number of children per dentist; and what steps he is taking to reach this position.
§ Mr. TomlinsonThe figures at present available relate to January, 1948. The aggregate staff of school dentists was134W then equivalent to 921 full-time officers, a ratio of one dentist to 5,815 children in the country as a whole; the ratio in London was one to 7,300. For a complete service of dental inspection and treatment it is estimated that a ratio of about one dentist to 3,000 children would probably be required. I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health about the difficulties at present holding up the development of the service which has been progressing steadily until now.