HC Deb 11 December 1989 vol 163 cc503-4W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in arriving at a contract between his Department and dentists; and if copies of any documents relating to this matter are generally available.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Following negotiations during the summer, proposals for a new contract for general dental practitioners were approved in principle by the General Dental Services Committee on 16 October as a basis for submissions to the doctors and dentists review body. The committee commended the proposals to the profession as "better for patients, dentists and dentistry". Detailed discussions are still in progress, and a formal response to the proposals from the dental profession is expected in July 1990.

The proposals are summarised in the edition of "BDA News" dated 21 October 1989. A copy of the relevant article will be placed in the Library.