Dr. John CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the current shortfall in funding for NHS dental treatment in Whitehaven, Cumbria; and what is her policy for remedying it.
§ Mr. MaloneExpenditure on the hospital and community dental services in any area is a matter for local purchasers to decide. Expenditure on the general dental services in an area depends upon the number of treatments provided under the national health service by local general dental practitioners, all of whom are independent contractors. Cumbria family health services authority is able to help patients find a national health service dentist.