§ Mr. Peter Morrisonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service dentists in each of the last five years there have been in the Cheshire Area Health Authority; what is the projected need over the next five years; what is the average number of patients per practising National Health Service dentist in the Cheshire Area Health Authority; and what is the national average number of patients.
§ Mr. MoyleSince the establishment of the Cheshire Area Health Authority in 1974, the number of dentists practising in the general dental services in the area were:
Year (30th September) Numbers of Dentists 1974 … … … … 200 1975 … … … … 221 1976 … … … … 221 1977 … … … … 235 The latest available population figures relate to 1976 when the population per dentist in the Cheshire Area Health Authority area was 4,143 and in England 4,016. Estimates are not made of the number of dentists whose names it would be desirable to have on a family practitioner committee's dental list. Dentists are entitled to practise in any area in which they find their services are in demand. They may provide as much or as little treatment under the general dental services as they wish and may treat patients from the population of other areas.