§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the Government propose to alter the process of(a) approving new NHS dentists and (b) allocating the relevant funds to health authorities. [64541]
§ Mr. MilburnDentists are registered by the General Dental Council, and are then free to work for the National Health Service if they wish, anywhere in the country. Funds are not allocated to health authorities for the general dental services where the vast majority of dentists work, instead dentists claim fees from a nationally set fee 621W scale. Health authorities do commission community dental services and it is up to each health authority to decide how much funding to put towards these. There are some categories of dental service—personal dental services and salaried dentists—where health authorities must apply to the Department.