§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received(a) over the cost to the national health service and (b) alleging discrimination against dentists, as a result of the number of wisdom teeth extractions carried out in hospital; and whether he has any proposals to enable more such operations to be carried out in general practice or in out-patient clinics.
§ Mr. DorrellOne such representation has been received. The hospital dental service provides consultant treatment and advice in cases of special difficulty including those referred by general dental practitioners and general medical practitioners. Whether any particular condition should be so referred is a matter for the judgment of the clinicians concerned.
As part of the postgraduate training initiative which the Department funds, a video on the subject of minor oral surgery in general practice has been supplied to all general dental practices during July 1991. The video encourages dentists to undertake the removal of uncomplicated wisdom teeth in their own practices.