§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the shortage of dentists in the Huddersfield area; if he will show the number of patients each dentist has, and how this compares with the national average; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe ratio of dentists practising in the General Dental Service to population in the area of the Huddersfield Executive Council was 1:4,477 at 30th September, 1970, compared with a ratio of 1:4,413 for England and 1:4,495 for England and Wales. Other areas are less fortunate and our first aim must be to find means of improving dental services in these areas.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware of the growing practice of dentists not to accept National Health Service patients but to deal only, or mainly, with private patients; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. AlisonDentists providing general dental services under the National Health Service are free to practise privately and to accept or refuse people who request treatment as National Health Service patients. Nevertheless, the number of courses of dental treatment provided under the general dental service has increased steadily since 1948. The trend is still continuing, and there is no evidence to suggest that fewer patients are being accepted for treatment.
If, however, a dentist agrees to accept someone as a National Health Service patient his agreement covers only the one course of treatment and in no way implies that he will be prepared to accept the patient again when he next needs treatment. Anyone who has difficulty in obtaining general dental service treatment should seek the help of the Executive Council for his area.