HC Deb 31 October 1988 vol 139 cc485-6W
Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental reference services references in each year over the last five years have been for examination-only cases.

Mrs. Currie

Information is not available in the form requested, but the number of such examinations is extremely low.

Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what formal arrangements exist for the work of dental reference officers to come under professional review; and whether general dental practitioners have any input into this process.

Mrs. Currie

Dental reference officers are the subject of the usual yearly performance appraisal review system which applies throughout the Civil Service. The work of the dental reference service is the subject of professional review as part of an overall management accountability process. We do not consider that input to either of the above by general dental practitioners would be appropriate.

Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many disciplinary cases his Department brought against dental reference officers in each of the last five years; and with what outcome.

Mrs. Currie

None.