§ Mr. Terry DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has plans to introduce a charter for dental patients.
§ Mr. DorrellWe have no such plans.
§ Mr. Terry DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has any plans to review the working of the capitation system for dental treatment for children; and whether he will introduce an item of service payment formula within the capitation framework.
§ Mr. DorrellWe keep all aspects of the working of the new dental contract under review. The capitation system includes provision for item of service payments. These are listed under item 41 of the fee scale in the "Statement of Dental Remuneration".
§ Mr. Terry DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money has been paid in pre-entry payments for children on a monthly basis in the period since the inception of the new dental contract.
§ Mr. DorrellThe information is given in the table.
Month/Year Payment (£) October 1990 336,560 November 1990 4,100,607 December 1990 6,928,169 January 1991 6,079,356 February 1991 6,579,365 March 1991 6,709,034 April 1991 6,541,420 May 1991 5,834,846 June 1991 5,301,253 July 1991 5,309,673 August 1991 4,587,857 September 1991 3,349,053 October 1991 4,138,035 Note: The figures refer to payments made under items 42(a) and 42(b) of the fee scale published in the "Statement of Dental Remuneration".