§ Mr. Tony ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many more dentists Northamptonshire Health Authority needs to overcome its shortage of NHS dentists; [120725]
(2) how many people telephoned Northamptonshire Health Authority from June to August 1999 about access to NHS dentistry; [120726]
(3) what action the Government are taking to ensure that all children in Northamptonshire are registered with a dentist. [120728]
§ Mr. HuttonRegistrations per head of population in Northamptonshire show that 54 per cent. are registered with General Dental Service dentists. This is 6 per cent. higher than the national average. Since December 1998 the number of dentists in the area has increased by six and there are now nearly 171 dentists in the area.
Of the 1,130 people who called Northamptonshire Health Authority seeking information on the availability of National Health Service dentists from June to August 1999, none called back unable to get placed with a National Health Service dentist.
We recognise that in some parts of the country it remains difficult to access National Health Service dental care. Positive steps have already been taken to address this problem. NHS dentists in the Northamptonshire Health Authority have received £45,000 in Investing in Dentistry grants. This has gone towards establishing brand new practices that have already begun to register additional patients.
Northamptonshire also has a second wave Personal Dental Services (PDS) pilot which is specifically targeted at increasing child registration. This is a co-operative 459W approach between community dental service and three practices. It identifies children in need of care through school screening and offers follow up appointments.
Discussions will continue with the profession at a local level to improve and modernise the service.