§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations have been received from patients and others about the future of the University College and Middlesex school of dentistry and its associated dental hospital; what replies have been sent; and if he will make a statement on the consequences of closure for patients.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 19 October 1988]: The Department has received some 90 inquiries from members 1026W of the public and staff affected by the closure of the dental school at the University College and Middlesex school of dentistry. The replies to the inquiries explained that there would be a possible serious oversupply of dentists in the future unless the present rate of increase of students admitted to United Kingdom dental schools was reduced. They also indicate that decisions on the funding of individual dental schools are the responsibility of the University Grants Committee.
The provision of dental services provided by University College is a matter for the district health authority. As closure of the dental school will be phased over the next five years there will be time for the authority to arrange for planned transfer of services.