§ Mr. Joel Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the fall in National Health Service work by dentists since the increase in charges.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is still too early to reach final conclusions as to the effect of the new system of charges; but the number of estimates scheduled for payment during the first nine months following the introduction of the new system was 8 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period in the previous year.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish and display in public places a list of dentists in each National Health Executive Council area who are prepared to undertake work under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. AlisonLists of dental practitioners who are prepared to provide general dental services are available for inspection at the offices of executive councils, most main post offices and some, public libraries. Practitioners whose names appear in these lists, are not, however, obliged to accept any particular patient for treatment.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many dentists are permitted, under the regulations, to practise in Great Britain; and how many have indicated to his Department that they will be unwilling to undertake National Health Service work.
§ Mr. AlisonAt 1st January, 1971, 17,598 registered dentists were legally entitled to practice their profession in the United Kingdom.
371WA dentist who wishes to practise in the general dental services must enter into a contract with an executive council. In the 12 months ended 30th September, 1971, the number of dentists so practising in England rose from 10,426 to 10,527. These figures take no account of dentists employed by hospitals and local authorities.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the scale of reimbursement paid by his Department to dentists for undertaking various work under the National Health Service.
§ Mr. AlisonThe scale of fees currently payable to dentists for the various items of treatment provided under the general dental services are set out in the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations, 1970 (Statutory Instrument No. 1970/1329). These fees are designed to provide general dental practitioners on average with the agreed target net income and to reimburse practice expenses.
§ Mr. Kinnockasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid by his Department to dentists for undertaking National Health Service work in each of the financial years 1961 to 1971.
§ Mr. AlisonFees paid to dentists for the provision of general dental services in England and Wales were as follows:
Payments by Executive Councils £ million Gross Fees received including Patient's Charges £ million 1960–61 42.1 51.4 1961–62 43.8 53.7 1962–63 44.5 54.7 1963–64 45.2 55.8 1964–65 47.1 58.2 1965–66 48.4 59.7 1966–67 55.7 67.4 1967–68 57.8 70.0 1968–69 58.6 72.6 1969–70 63.1 78.5 1970–71 76.9 93.9