§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence he has about the levels of payment received by dental surgery assistants from the dental practitioners who employ them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNone. General dental practitioners are independent contractors and the salaries they pay their staff are a matter for them.
§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the average amount and percentage of salary paid by dental practitioners on (i) salaries of dental assistants, (ii) use of dental premises, (iii) dental equipment and (iv) other necessary expenses.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeGeneral dental practitioners are not paid salaries but are paid a fee for each item of treatment they carry out. Some also receive seniority payments. In 1981–82, the latest year for which information is available, the average gross earnings of dentists in Great Britain included in the calculations of the dental rates study group were £37,892. Their average expenses were as follows:
327W
£ Percentage of gross earnings *Salaries 7,772 20.5 Premises 2,522 6.7 Equipment 1,307 3.4 Other 11,361 30.0 Total Expenses 22,962 60.6 *Includes all staff salaries—separate information on dental surgery assistants is not available.