§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of dental treatments confined to examination, scaling and polishing in respect of persons over the age of 21 years in each of the 12 months preceding and subsequent to the last increase in dental charges.
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§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will review the regulation governing remuneration of practitioners in the general dental service that for any patient over 21 years the fee for clinical examination, advice and report is not payable in cases where the dentist has been paid for similar treatment at any time during the preceding five calendar months; what scientific basis this regulation has; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenI have no plans to review this regulation. It derives from the fact that carious lesions are not likely to arise in the average adult in a period of less than five months; lengthening the period would progressivly increase the risk of undetected caries amongst the caries-prone.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of courses of dental treatment for handicapped adults undertaken within the general dental service; and the percentage of such treatments which attracted special fees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenSeparate figures relating to courses of dental treatment for handicapped adults are not available. No special fee provision is made for the treatment of handicapped patients other than an enhanced payment for dentures in cases where the handicap would make the construction or fitting of the appliance more than usually difficult. Physical handicap, however, may be a valid reason for the provision of general anaesthetic for which a special fee may be approved.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if it will be necessary in order to harmonise with EEC practices to alter the period allowed between dental examinations in the National Health Service from five to 11 months.
§ Dr. OwenNo. The current practices of EEC States differ in relation to the payment of dentists and the Commission has made no proposals for harmonisation.
§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many courses of dental treatment have been carried 238W out in each month since the introduction of the dental charge of £3.50; and what were the comparable figures for the previous year in the Brent/Harrow area.
§ Dr. OwenFollowing are the figures:
BRENT AND HARROW AREA HEALTH AUTHORITIES
Estimates for dental treatment scheduled for payment—
1975 1976 January … … 23,705 22,205 February … … 24,134 25,555 March … … 22,718 23,393 April … … 23,431 24,841 May … … 26,055 24,434 June … … 25,370 23,755