§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in examining the proposals made to replace dental therapists with dental hygienists, he will take steps to satisfy himself that such a change would not damage the dental care provided by the community dental service.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI am not aware of any proposal to replace dental therapists with dental hygienists, but we are considering the recommendation of the dental strategy review group that the School for Dental Therapists should be closed and that therapists, especially those at present unemployed, should be encouraged to retrain as hygienists. No decision has yet been made, but we shall certainly have in mind the need to maintain adequate dental services for children and other priority groups.