§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general dental practitioners qualified and took up NHS practice in each year since 1983.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe available information is shown in the table. In 1983, the report of the departmental study group on dental manpower recommended a reduction in undergraduate intake to dental schools and in 1987 a similar study recommended further manpower reductions.
Number of students obtaining first qualification (United Kingdom) Year Number1 1982–83 777 1983–84 786 1984–85 787 1985–86 728 1986–87 791 1987–88 750 1988–89 717 1989–90 695 1990–91 700 1991–92 643 1992–93 673 Source: University Funding Council.
1 Students normally resident in Great Britain.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what national guidelines exist for the assessment of orthodontic treatment need.
§ Dr. MawhinneyAn index of treatment need can be used by orthodontic specialists.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many general dental practitioners were registered with the Dental Practice Board in each year since 1983;
(2) how many general dental practitioners received remuneration for NHS treatments in each year since 1983.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe available information is shown in the table.
General Dental Services Number of general dental practitioners under contract to a family health
services authority as at 30 September
England
Year Total12 1983 13,672 1984 14,066 1985 14,334 1986 14,516 1987 14,765 1988 15,070 1989 15,351 1990 15,480 1991 15,451 1992 15,411 1993 15,773 Source: Dental Practice Board.
1 Includes principals, assistants and vocational trainees.
2 Some dentists have contracts with more than one family health services authority.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is her estimate of the number of individuals who received private orthodontic treatments in England and Wales during the period from 1983 to 1993;
686W(2) what plans she has for review of orthodontic services.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere are no plans for a central review of orthodontic services specifically. However, the system of dental remuneration is currently under review, following consultation on the Bloomfield report.
We do not collect information on orthodontic treatment in the private sector.
§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting for orthodontic treatment.
§ Dr. MawhinneySuch information as is available is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the Library.