HC Deb 22 November 1966 vol 736 cc271-2W
Mr. Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for encouraging an increase in the number of students coming forward for training as dental surgeons in Scotland; how many dental surgeons graduated in Scotland in each of the past five academic years; and how many students are at present studying to this end, compared with the past five years.

Mr. Ross

Expansion of the Dundee Dental Hospital and School to provide an additional 25 places for dental students will be completed next year; the new Dental Hospital and School in Glasgow, which will provide 10 additional places for students, will be completed about 1969. A film prepared by the General Dental Council has been commended for use by the Youth Employment Service, and by careers masters, to encourage students of suitable quality to come forward to fill the additional places which are being provided in these and other dental schools.

The numbers of dental surgeons graduated and dental students in training for the last five academic years for which statistics are available are as follows:

Academic Year Number of dental surgeons graduated (1st degrees) Number of full-time dental students
1961–62 104 630
1962–63 98 629
1963–64 102 627
1964–65 99 609
1965–66 126* 620
* This figures includes higher degrees and diplomas as well as first degrees as separate figures for different types of degree are not yet available.