§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many studies are currently being made by his Department 288W on the conservation of teeth and preventive dental care.
§ Sir K. JosephNone directly, but my Department is sponsoring several research projects that could lead to the development of improved methods of treating and preventing dental caries.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many interdepartmental meetings have been held in each of the last three years with the Department of Education and Science with a view to improving dental health care in schools; and what additional policies and what new initiatives for the treatment and prevention of dental decay in schoolchildren have resulted from them.
§ Sir K. JosephThe two Departments are in constant consultation on the dental care of children. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I are advised by a jointly-appointed chief dental officer and supporting professional staff. Both Departments are represented on a committee which is meeting at about monthly intervals and is examining, among other matters, means of maintaining a high standard of dental care for school children in the context of a reorganised National Health Service.
With my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, and in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, I am commissioning a survey of the dental health of schoolchildren aged 5 to 15. This is in an advanced stage of planning and will provide an up-to-date assessment of the state of children's dental health and the extent to which their need for treatment is being met.
The improvement of dental services for children and young people is one of the principal matters which the Working Party on the Dental Services has been asked to consider.