HC Deb 29 January 1991 vol 184 cc479-80W
Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of dental examinations in each of the last 12 quarters.

Mr. Dorrell

Information on the number of dental examinations scheduled for payment under the general dental services in England and Wales in each of the last 12 quarters is provided in the table:

General Dental Services: Number of Examinations Scheduled for Payment (including Trauma) by quarter for England and Wales
Quarter ending Number of treatments
March 1988 7,530,040
June 1988 7,433,470
September 1988 7,948,830
December 1988 8,292,230
March 1989 7,948,220
June 1989 7,793,040
September 1989 7,378,850
December 1989 7,449,590
March 1990 7,084,060
June 1990 7,738,310
September 1990 7,390,200
December 1990 Not available

Mr. Robin Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the costs of the general dental service came from patients' charges in each of the last five years.

Mr. Dorrell

The proportion of gross costs of the general dental service in England met from patient charges is given in the table:

Charge income as a proportion of gross cost
Per cent.
1985–86 29.8
1986–87 29.9
1987–88 29.4
1988–89 30.7
1989–90 38.7