HC Deb 10 May 2001 vol 368 cc361-2W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists were registered(a) in May 1997 and (b) on the latest date for which data are available; and if he will make a statement. [160366]

Mr. Denham

The number of General Dental Service principals on a health authority list, their assistants and vocational dental practitioners in England is shown in the table for 31 March 1997 and 31 December 2000.

General Dental Service: number of dentists at March 1997 and December 2000—England
Date Principals Assistants Vocational dental practitioners Total
March 1997 15,301 591 495 16,387
December 2000 16,269 1,175 614 18,058