§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of dentists charge for issuing a prescription to a patient as distinct from the patient charge per item.
§ Mr. DorrellInformation is not available in the form requested. Dentists have been able to claim a fee for the "issue of a prescription only" since 1 October 1990 and, like most dental fees, this is subject to a 75 per cent. patient charge for adult patients who are not exempt from charges. In the period up to 31 December 1990—the latest 235W for which figures are available—the Dental Practice Board scheduled only 16,533 claims for payment of this fee in England and Wales.