HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc627-8W
Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health in the period since dental charges for examination came into operation, what are the monthly breakdown figures for courses of treatment in the following categories (i) under 18 years of age, (ii) those who are over 18 years but are fully exempt from dental charges, (iii) those over 18 years who are partially exempt from dental charges and (iv) those who are over 18 years but are fully liable for dental charges.

Mr. Freeman

The information is available on a quarterly basis only. The figures for England are shown in the table.

Number of courses of treatment
March quarter June quarter September quarter
(i) Patients under 18 2,592,260 2,560,600 2,508,830
(ii) Patients over 18 but fully exempt from dental charges 892,710 957,580 932,900
(iii) Patients over 18 partially exempt from dental charges 14,100 16,740 16,970
(iv) Patients over 18 fully liable for dental charges 5,212,440 4,996,760 4,665,620

Mr. Sean Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the monthly breakdown figures for courses of dental treatment completed since charges for dental examinations came into operation earlier this year(a) on a national basis and (b) on the most convenient regional basis.

Mr. Freeman

The information is available on a national basis only. The figures for England are shown in the table.

Month Number of Courses of dental treatment
January 1989 2,882,850
February 1989 2,923,917
March 1989 2,904,716
April 1989 2,789,026
May 1989 2,978,174
June 1989 2,764,940
July 1989 2,722,924
August 1989 2,722,530
September 1989 2,678,527
October 1989 2,815,278

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the inquiry into the provision of dentures has been completed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 11 December 1989]: In November 1988, the Department asked the Dental Estimates Board (now the Dental Practice Board) to carry out a study of patients' and dentists' satisfaction with the provision of dentures under the National Health Service. The study has not yet been completed. Its primary purpose is to inform the work of the dental rates study group in relation to setting fees for the provision of full dentures.