§ 43. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he proposes to take with regard to the shortage of dentists in the School Dental Service in Leicestershire; how the ratio of dentists to schoolchildren in Leicestershire compares with that elsewhere in the country; and if he will hold consultations with the Leicestershire Educational Authority on this subject.
§ Mr. CroslandThe approximate ratio of School Dental Service dentists to schoolchildren in Leicestershire is 1:48,000 compared to an average of 1:5,700 in the rest of England and Wales.
104WMy senior dental officer has recently carried out a further inspection on the Leicestershire School Dental Service and recommendations for its improvement will shortly be sent to the authority by means of a joint letter from myself and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I will consider what further steps should be taken when the authority has replied to the letter.