HC Deb 17 June 1994 vol 244 cc684-6W
Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general dental practitioners qualified and took up NHS practice in each year since 1983.

Dr. Mawhinney

The 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. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what national guidelines exist for the assessment of orthodontic treatment need.

Dr. Mawhinney

An index of treatment need can be used by orthodontic specialists.

Mr. McCartney

To 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. Mawhinney

The 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. McCartney

To 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;

(2) what plans she has for review of orthodontic services.

Dr. Mawhinney

There 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. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are waiting for orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Mawhinney

Such information as is available is given in "Hospital Waiting List Statistics: England", copies of which are available in the Library.