§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Health whether the total amount paid to dentists under the National Health Service is kept within a fixed sum irrespective of the demand for treatment.
§ Mr. BarberNo.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Health (1) if he will make inquiries to ascertain whether the treatment of children is less remunerative to dentists than the treatment of adults;
(2) how the rate of remuneration received by dentists for denture work compares with that received for other treatments.
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§ Mr. BarberThe scale of fees for General Dental Services is intended to give the same net rate of remuneration for professional time, whatever the treatment given. The present scale is as recommended by the Dental Rates Study Group, on which the profession are represented; it is the Group's duty to keep the scale under review.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the average earnings of dental surgeons engaged as principals in the National Health Service after deduction of fees which they pay to assistants.
§ Mr. BarberI regret that information about payments to assistants is not separately available.
§ Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Health what plans he has for increasing the supply of dentists.
§ Mr. BarberThe hospital programme provides facilities for 280 additional students.