§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the precarious position of the school dental service; that there are only 923 dentists to look after 6 million children; that there is an urgent 224W need for at least another 2,000 dentists in this service; and what action she is taking to rectify this position.
§ Miss HorsbrughNo. I cannot accept the figures quoted in the Question, although I agree that many more school dentists are needed. There was an increase equivalent to 114 full-time officers in the school dental service between January and October, 1952, and I hope that a steady improvement will be maintained.