§ Dr. Stuttafordasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what categories of people are entitled to remission or refund of dental charges under the new arrangements, and how many he estimates to be in each category.
§ Sir K. JosephAbout 19 million people are entitled to free dental treatment. These include children under 16; young people aged 16 or over who are attending school full time; expectant mothers; and mothers who have had a child within the previous 12 months. Young people who are over 16 but under 21, and who have left school, are also exempt from all charges except those for dentures and for alterations or additions to dentures. In 1969 people in these categories alone accounted for about 47 per cent. of all courses of treatment in the General Dental Services in England and Wales (56 per cent, in Scotland). There were in 43W addition about one million courses for repairs to dentures which will continue to be free of charge.
About 3.3 million recipients of Supplementary Pensions or Allowances in Great Britain (including their dependants but excluding those who are already exempt) are automatically entitled to full remission of the charges. Similar arrangements will apply to recipients of the new Family Income Supplement when this is introduced next August.
In addition, people with incomes of less than £1.50 a week above the ordinary Supplementary Benefit level can qualify for full remission of the charges even if they are in work.
In practice, people receiving help on income grounds do not have to claim refunds since arrangements are normally made for dentists to be paid directly by the local Social Security office.