§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has received on the state of morale among national health service dentists in Wales; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from national health service dentists in Wales concerning a new fee structure; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntI have received a number of letters from general dental practitioners concerning the general dental service. The proposed reduction in fees which was announced in February has been suspended, and discussions are taking place between health departments and the dental professions' representatives to review the level of payments in 1991–92. The results of these discussions are to be announced as soon as possible. A fundamental review of the system for dental remuneration is also being jointly undertaken with the profession.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many national health service dentists there are in Wales;
(2) how many dentists practise in the county of Clwyd.
§ Mr. David HuntThe requested information is given in the table.
Wales Clwyd General Dental Practitioners1 Unrestricted principals 815 109 Assistants 9 — Vocational trainees 29 7 Hospital Dental Staff2 119 7 Community Dental Staff2 121 15
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 General Dental Practitioners1 Unrestricted principals 769 781 799 809 797 815 Assistants 11 17 28 28 8 9 Vocational trainees 3n.a. 3n.a. 3n.a. 3n.a. 327 329 Hospital dental staff2 112 100 112 119 3n.a. 3n.a. Community dental staff2 127 127 119 121 3n.a. 3n.a. 1 As at 30 September except for 1992 which are Provisional figures as at 31 March. 2 All grades of permanent staff (excluding clinical assistants) in post as at 30 September 1990. 3 Means not available.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many people have received dental treatment in Wales in each of the last five years.
Courses of dental treatment (thousands) 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 General dental service: Adults 1,135.75 1,167.0 1,266.6 1,197.1 1,189.9 Children 623.4 621.3 634.7 620.6 1n/a Community Dental Service 75.8 73.3 66.2 60.6 54.3 Hospital Dental Service New Out.patients 38.3 40.5 42.3 44.4 47.1 1 The number of courses of treatment for children is no longer available as dentists are now paid on a per capita basis. However at 31 March 1992 there were 361,498 children registered with a dentist in Wales which represents 55 per cent. of the population of under-18s.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental practices have gone bankrupt in Wales over the last five years; and if he will make a statement.
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1 Provisional figures as at 31 March 1992. 2 All grades of permanent staff (excluding clinical assistants) in post as at 30 September 1990.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many national health service dentists in Wales have notified him of their intention to enter private practice; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntNone. Dentists who wish to cease providing NHS treatment are required to give notice to either the family health services authority with which they are in contract or, in the case of hospital or community dentists, their employing authority.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what meetings he has had with the leaders of national health service dentists in Wales concerning fee structures.
§ Mr. David HuntNHS dentists in Wales are represented in negotiations which are conducted with health departments, including the Welsh Office, at United Kingdom level. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State has agreed to meet elected representatives of the profession in Wales when the outcome of the current negotiations is known.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many national health service dentists have left the service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not available but the table gives the number of dentists in Wales for each of the last five available years:
§ Mr. David HuntThis information is not available, but the total number of courses of dental treatment is given in the table:
§ Mr. David HuntStatistics relating to bankruptcies are collected by the Department of Trade and Industry and published by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. The detailed information requested is not 435W available from this source. Figures for Wales are combined with those for England and dental practices are not identified separately.