HC Deb 11 December 1959 vol 615 cc83-4W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health the method of fixing remuneration for dental technicians; their present rate of pay; how many are employed in the National Health Service; if he is satisfied that the number employed is adequate to meet the demands of the service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The National Health Service Professional and Technical "B" Whitley Council is the body responsible for negotiating the remuneration and conditions of service of dental technicians employed in the National Health Service by hospitals and by local health authorities.

The current salary scale of a dental technician performing the normal duties of the class is£450–£555 per annum. There are further grades for those with responsibilities greater than those of the normal technicians with higher salary scales. The highest scale is for a Chief Technician in charge of a technical staff of fourteen or more and is£630–£790 per annum.

On 31st December, 1958, the number of technicians employed by National Health Service hospitals was 223 and by local health authorities 91. The number employed in hospitals has more than doubled since 1949 and there is no evidence of any shortage.

A claim for higher salaries is before the Whitley Council.

The employment of dental technicians by general dental practitioners providing general dental services is in general a matter for settlement between the parties concerned.

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