§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now shift the onus from the patients to the dentist to establish the fact that treatment is being given privately and not on the National Health Service; if the dentist should be required to give an estimate of the costs before treatment when the patient elects to accept private charges; and if he will reissue the Guide to Dental Treatment, Leaflet NHS 4.
§ Dr. OwenMy right hon. Friend has no power under present legislation to impose on general dental practitioners the requirement my hon. Friend suggests. The British Dental Association, which represents most general dental practitioners, advises its members to ensure as far as possible that a patient clearly understands the basis of any contract for the provision of treatment before treatment is commenced. The arrangements made for the provision of private dental treatment are entirely a matter for agreement between the patient and the dentist concerned.
A revised leaflet NHS 4 (Guide to Dental Treatment Under the National Health Service), to replace the current version, is in print and should be available shortly.
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§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report the scientific basis for recalling a patient every six months for dental check-ups; if he will seek further advice on the period for satisfactory recalls; what is his estimate of the saving to the NHS if recalls were on a yearly basis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenThe statement on dental remuneration for practitioners in the National Health Service general dental services provides that for any patient of 21 years and over the fee for "clinical examination, advice and report" is not payable where the dentist has been paid or is entitled to be paid for treatment of the patient under this item carried out at any lime during the preceding five calendar months. However, this is not a mandatory period for recalling patients and the time which elapses between dental examinations does not depend on this provision. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise. While some dentists do recall patients routinely they are not required to do so.