§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he has taken in response to the proposal by the Working Party on the Dental Services that a new experimental scheme of dentists' remuneration should be introduced in problem areas to encourage dentists to work there;
(2) what is his policy on the distribution of dental manpower within the National Health Service.
§ Mr. EnnalsArrangements are in hand to set up experimental schemes in four problem areas, and an advertisement has already been placed for a dentist to take part in one of these schemes.
Dentists practising in the general dental services of the National Health Service are independent contractors, free to practise in any area. It is because of our concern about the shortcomings in the dental services in some areas that these experimental schemes are being set up. The success, or otherwise, of these schemes will have a bearing on future policy.