§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if there has been any change in the number of people having dental examinations and eye tests since the introduction of charges.
§ 70. Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the impact of the introduction of dental charges on the number of patients attending for dental checks.
§ Mr. MellorDemand for dental treatment is subject to short-term fluctuation irrespective of changes made to charges. The Department monitors the number of courses scheduled for payment each month. It is unlikely that an assessment of whether there has been an effect on demand following the introduction of the examination charge can be made until figures are available for the quarter July-September 1989.
There is no charge for NHS sight tests. We shall be monitoring the position in respect of private sight tests in the autumn.