§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to resolve the dentists' dispute.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe revised scale of fees for general dental practitioners, which took effect on 8 July 1992, is expected to deliver a net income of about £40,000 to the average dentist in 1992–93, as compared with the £35,815 recommended by the dentists' independent pay review body. Dentists' practice expenses have also been increased by 11.6 per cent., to £47,228. This means that in 1992–93 the average dentist will have a gross income of about £88,000. We believe this is fair and reasonable for dentists, patients, other health service professionals, and taxpayers more generally.
For the future, we have asked Sir Kenneth Bloomfield to conduct a fundamental review of the dental 29W remuneration system. The review is being conducted independently of the Government and will identify a number of options for change. Sir Kenneth has been asked to report by the end of 1992. In the meantime, we have asked dentists to think long and hard before taking any action which might jeopardise the interests of their practices or patients.