HC Deb 23 June 1988 vol 135 cc714-5W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the maximum that a dentist may charge for dental work undertaken by the National Health Service.

Mrs. Currie

The maximum charge for a course of treatment required to secure dental fitness under the general dental service is currently £150. Where an NHS denture needs to be replaced as a result of an act or omission on the part of the patient an additional charge may be made.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has any plans to require dentists to inform their patients of the cost of treatment before it is undertaken;

(2) if he has any plans to require dentists to provide an itemised bill detailing the costs of treatment.

Mrs. Currie

As indicated in the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" (Cm. 249), the Government's proposals for a revised contract for general dental practitioners include a requirement to explain the treatment plan to patients and the probable cost.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to require dentists to display details of their charges in their surgeries.

Mrs. Currie

We have agreed with representatives of the profession a requirement that National Health Service general dental practitioners should display information about National Health Service charges. A poster giving information about National Health Service dental treatment and charges is already supplied free of charge to all National Health Service general dental practitioners. Information on charges is also contained in leaflet D11 available from local social security offices.

Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations or evidence he has received alleging that dentists are encouraging patients to undergo unnecessary treatment.

Mrs. Currie

The committee of inquiry into unnecessary dental treatment chaired by Mr. S. G. Schanschieff, which reported in 1986, concluded that a small but significant amount of unnecessary treatment was undertaken in the general dental services; but that this was not so great that patients should lose confidence in their dentists, the vast majority of whom continued to provide a thoroughly professional service. The committee made a large number of recommendations, the majority of which have been, or are in process of being, implemented. Since publication of the committee's report the Department is not aware of receiving any direct representations or further evidence that dentists generally are encouraging unnecessary treatment.