§ 81. Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to panel patients by their inability to get dental treatment owing to the prolonged dispute about dentists' fees; and if he will make a statement on the subject.
§ Mr. SteeleAs the House was informed at the time, agreement on the payments to be made for National Health Insurance work was reached with the Joint Advisory Dental Council of the profession towards the end of last year. In accordance with that 'agreement, the Council advised, and continues to advise, members of the profession generally to resume the practice of accepting insured persons for treatment in accordance with the Dental Benefit Regulations. My right hon. Friend is aware that a number of dentists who have given treatment under the Regulations in the past have not yet followed this advice of their negotiating body and he is sorry that because of this insured persons in some areas are still having difficulty in obtaining dental benefit. But the general position is improving steadily, and he thinks he must leave it to the Council to continue their efforts to secure a satisfactory service for insured persons in all areas under the terms of the agreed settlement.