§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are taken to recoup the value of NHS-funded equipment from those dentists who choose to go private. [125769]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 15 July 2003]: General dental service (GDS) dentists are paid fees which cover both their income and expenses. The expense element of the fees covers the cost of the equipment as it is used. The equipment is owned by the dentist. Most dentists who do private work also continue to do GDS work.
Dentists may also qualify for special capital grants payments through incentive schemes which operate from time to time. Conditions for such schemes have generally included a requirement to maintain or increase national health service commitment and a term allowing recovery of payments, if these requirements are not complied with.
§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS registered dentists are working within the London borough of Wandsworth. [126180]
§ Mr. HuttonThe number of national health service dentists within the Wandsworth Primary Care Trust in the general dental service (GDS), salaried service of the GDS, community and hospital dental services at 30 September 2002 are shown in the table.
NHS Dental Services: Number of Dentists at 30 September 2002 Wandsworth PCT General dental service (GDS)1 130 Salaried service of the GDS 4 Community dental service 26 Hospital dental service 18 1 GDS covers Principals on the Health Authority list, Assistants and Vocational Dental Practitioners.