§ Mr. Barronasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has that higher National Health Service dental charges are deterring people from treatment and that dental health is suffering as a result; and what representations he has received from the British Dental Association to this effect.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no evidence that higher charges are deterring people from seeking dental treatment—on the contrary the number of courses of treatment provided continues to rise and surveys show a continuing improvement in dental health. I met representatives of the British Dental Association on 12 June. They made their opposition to increased charges clear.