§ Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has received the report of the committee of inquiry into unnecessary dental treatment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Barney HayhoeI welcome the report of the committee of inquiry into unnecessary dental treatment in the general dental service chaired by Mr. S. G. Schanschieff JP which is published today by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Copies are being placed in the Library.
The committee was established by the Government in December 1984. Its main finding on the extent of unnecessary treatment is that while none of the evidence is in itself conclusive it points to there being a small but significant and unacceptable amount of deliberate unnecessary treatment in the general dental service and a larger amount attributable to an out-of-date treatment 318W philosophy. They are also particularly concerned that a significant amount of unnecessary orthodontic treatment may be undertaken.
They do not, however, believe the problem to be so widespread that patients in general should lose confidence in their dentists. They consider that the vast majority of dental practitioners m the general dental service provide a thoroughly professional service on which the general public can continue to rely.
Their 52 recommendations are aimed at improved monitoring of dental practice; stronger powers for the Dental Estimates Board and Family Practitioner Committees to deal with suspected overtreatment cases; clearer and more public criteria for giving or refusing approval for treatment where this is required in advance; the development of more realistic criteria for approving orthodontic treatment; more explicit warnings about overtreatment from the General Dental Council; more guidance to the profession generally on treatment standards; and guidance to patients on their own role and rights of choice as consumers.
The Government endorse the committee's general approach. There will now be consultation on the report with the dental profession and other interests affected. Subject to that, and to a full costing of the proposals, the Government intend to take action this year on the majority of the recommendations.