§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the dentist/patient ratio in the Leek parliamentary constituency; if he is satisfied that the emergency dentist service in that area is working satisfactorily: and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir K. Joseph:No. I should like to see more general dental practitioners practising in areas of particular shortage like Staffordshire, where the ratio of dentists to population is one of the least satisfactory in the country. I have, therefore, invited the Joint Working Party on the Dental Services to consider possible ways of improving the present uneven distribution of dental manpower.
I have no evidence of difficulties in obtaining emergency dental services in my hon. Friend's constituency.