§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the dental care plans by dental practitioners and the impact this has on access to dental care; [52284]
(2) what guidelines exist to guarantee a minimum level of access to NHS dental care within each health authority area. [52283]
§ Ms BlearsHealth authorities in England are currently responsible for planning, and ensuring access to national health service dental services. "Modernising Health and Social Care-National Priorities Guidance 2000–01 to 2002–03" and subsequent guidance required health authorities to publish an externally assessed dentistry action plan to enable patients to access NHS dentistry through NHS Direct within locally agreed time and distance standards.
Provision of NHS dental services in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Administrations.
258Wtheir present values) compared with publicly funding the scheme are shown in the table.