§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) complete and (b) partial sets of dentures were supplied by the National Health Service (i) in 1988 and (ii) in 1989; how many (i) fillings, (ii) teeth capped and (iii) extractions were completed in (x) 1988 and (y) 1989; and if he will make a statement concerning the future of dentistry in the National Health Service.
§ Mr. FreemanThe National Health Service has made a considerable contribution to the marked improvement over recent years in the dental health of both adults and children. The Government are confident that this contribution will continue, strengthened by the proposals for a new contract for general dental practitioners.
The detailed information requested on treatment is set out in the table for the general dental service and for the community dental service. No comparable figures are available for dental treatment provided within the hospital service.
334W
Numbers of treatments (England) by financial year: Type of treatment 1987–88 000's 1988–89 000's General dental service Synthetic resin dentures full 1,083 1,109 partial 664 691
Type of treatment 1987–88 000's 1988–89 000's Metal dentures full and partial 199 207 Fillings 23,957 22,728 Teeth capped 2,318 2,436 Teeth extracted 4,237 4,392 Community dental service Dentures—total supplied (no breakdown by type available) 13 13 Fillings 1,110 939 Teeth capped 9 9 Teeth extracted 434 398