§ 134. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement on the availability of dental hygienists for the general public in accordance with the provisions of the Dentists Act, 1956.
§ Mr. VosperSome dental hygienists are already employed in the local authority and hospital dental services, but they cannot work with dentists in private practice until permitted by regulations made under the Dentists Act, 1956, by the General Dental Council. The General Dental Council has asked the Privy Council to approve draft regulations which provide that dental hygienists shall not be allowed to work in142W private practice until such time as the requirements of the local authority and hospital dental services are in the opinion of the General Dental Council, satisfied. This limitation would not appear to accord with the intentions of Parliament as expressed during the passage of the Bill and the proposals have therefore been referred back to the General Dental Council for further consideration.