§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of dental treatments, carried out by the general dental service and examined by the dental reference service of his Department, were found to be satisfactory for the latest year for which figures are available; what is his estimate of the percentage of treatment in the general dental service which is unnecessary; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeIn 1984 93.3 per cent. of dental treatments examined by our Department's Dental Reference Service were found to be wholly or mainly satisfactory. In a further 5 per cent. of cases not all the treatments were unsatisfactory. These figures almost certainly understate the extent of satisfactory treatment in the General Dental Service as a whole since examinations are not made entirely on a random basis.
600WWe are not able at present to estimate accurately the percentage of treatment which is unnecessary but the committee of inquiry we have established is expected to report their findings on this question in the near future.