§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to delay the implementation of the 1992–93 dentists' remuneration from 8 July to a date later in the year to allow the fundamental review of dentists' remuneration to be finalised; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyIt would not be helpful to delay the implementation of a revised fee scale beyond July. In 1991–92, dentists received on average some £12,000 more than the level of pay agreed by the Government following the recommendation of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). The evidence suggests that the existing fee scale is continuing to provide substantially more than the DDRB recommended.
In 1992–93, even with the 7 per cent. fee reduction proposed, the average dentist is likely to receive some £5,000 more than the DDRB recommendation of £35,815. This proposal is fair to dentists, fair to their patients, the tax-payers, and fair to other national health service staff.
Dental remuneration is a complex, sensitive and important issue. We are looking to the review to develop a system which more effectively and more fairly remunerates all dentists for the important work they do.