HC Deb 12 February 1998 vol 306 c366W
Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the number of NHS dentists in Scotland. [28806]

Mr. Galbraith

In August of last year, I introduced the Scottish Dental Access Initiative to encourage dentists to set up or expand NHS practices in areas where there is unmet demand by patients for NHS general dental services. "Return to Work" grants have also been made available to encourage dentists on a career break to return to the profession and join established dental practices in areas of unmet demand to offer NHS general dental services.