§ Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to implement the recommendation of the Dental Strategy Review Group that for adult patients practitioners should limit clinical intervention to the absolute minimum.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No decisions have as yet been taken on the recommendations on which we are consulting widely. There is no specific recommendation in the report on the point raised by the hon. Member, but the report points to the need to encourage dental practitioners to limit clinical intervention to the absolute minimum as part of the process of changing the emphasis towards preventive care. What treatment may be appropriate for a patient is, of course, a matter for the clinical judgement of the individual practitioner.
Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet given consideration to the recommendation of the Dental Strategy Review Group that there should be an overall reduction in the consumption of sugar; and if he will consult the television authorities concerned on the timing and content of advertisements for sweets, as recommended by the group.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No decisions have yet been taken on the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group on which we are consulting widely. There 286W are already codes of advertising practice, such as the Independent Broadcasting Authority's code of advertising standards and practice, which already prohibits radio and television advertisements from encouraging persistent sweet-eating throughout the day or the eating of sweet, sticky foods at bed-time. We shall consider in the light of comments received on the report, whether further action may be needed.
Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment his Department has made of the total cost which would be involved if he implements all the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No estimates have been made of the costs or savings involved in implementing the recommendations of the Dental Strategy Review Group, since we are in the process of consultation. Much will depend on which of the group's many recommendations are accepted, and how they are to be implemented.
Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now defer or abandon the closure of the New Cross School for Dental Therapists in view of the recommendation made by the Dental Strategy Review Group; what is the annual cost of maintaining this school; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:No decision has yet been taken on the Dental Strategy Review Group's recommendation that the school for dental therapists at New Cross should be closed. We are consulting widely on this and the group's other recommendations, and the views of interested bodies and individuals will be taken carefully into account before any decisions are made. In the financial year 1980–81 the cost of maintaining the school (including the payment of student grants) was approximately £740,000.