HC Deb 21 May 1992 vol 208 cc228-9W
Ms. Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase the number of dentists in the NHS.

Dr. Mawhinney

A joint Health Departments and British Dental Association review of dental manpower needs is currently in progress. It will consider the number of dentists which will be needed over the next 40 years. There are currently 27 per cent. more dentists than there were in 1979.

Ms. Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Government's policy on performance-related pay for dentists after the proposed changes in dentists' fees.

Dr. Mawhinney

The Government's position on performance pay was set out in the citizens charter in July last year. The Government are committed to extending performance-related pay within the public sector. We will be discussing this issue with the profession's representatives and submitting evidence to the Doctors and Dentists Review Body later this year. The Government have already announced that there will be a fundamental review of the dentists' remuneration system.

Ms. Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will publish the number of dentists practising in the NHS in each region of England for each year since 1987.

Dr. Mawhinney

The number of dentists practising in the general dental services in each region of England for each year since 1987 is shown in the table.

Region 30 September 1987 30 September 1988 30 September 1989 30 September 1990 30 September 1991
North East Thames 1,228 1,223 1,251 1,226 1,222
South East Thames 1,308 1,347 1,319 1,341 1,334
South West Thames 1,216 1,242 1,249 1,240 1,242
Wessex 886 907 938 949 939
Oxford 777 804 808 826 828
South Western 1,150 1,167 1,195 1,209 1,217
West Midlands 1,335 1,352 1,373 1,395 1,396
Mersey 701 728 745 764 765
North Western 1,134 1,168 1,200 1,232 1,238
TOTAL 14,765 15,070 15,351 15,480 15,451
1 Number of general dental practitioners includes principals and assistants.
2 Each general dental practitioner is recorded by the family health services authority in which the majority of their earnings were incurred.