§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce legislation to make it mandatory for qualified anaesthetist to be present at all dental extractions or procedures when general anaesthesia is practised.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergNo. The Government do, however, support the action now being taken by the General Dental Council to draw up guidance to the dental profession, as part of its disciplinary rules, on the administration of general anaesthesia. This will provide that the doctor or dentist who administers a general anaesthetic should be appropriately trained or, for teaching purposes, under the direct supervision of such a person. It will also be laid down that, other than in exeptional circumstances, the anaesthetic should not be administered by the operating dentist.