§ Mrs. HealTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the figures from 1979 to 1992 inclusive for the amount collected by dentists for writing out prescriptions in England.
§ Mr. DorrellDentists have been able to claim such a fee, in specified circumstances, since the introduction of the dental contract on 1 October 1990. The amount received by dentists in England and Wales for issuing prescriptions was as follows:
- 1990—£39,639 (1 October 1990 to 31 December 1990)
- 1991—£325,607 (1 January 1991 to 31 December 1991)
Figures for England only are not available.
§ Mrs. HealTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the details of circumstancess under winch dentists may charge for writing out a prescription.
§ Mr. DorrellA dentist may claim a fee for issuing a prescription where no other treatment is being given and no other fees are being claimed in a particular course of treatment. A dentist may, however, also claim a fee for a prescription issued when a patient has been visited at home and a claim is made for the associated fee for a domiciliary visit, or when the dentist has returned to and re-opened the surgery and a claim is made for the associated recalled attendance fee.