§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many items of service were provided by contractual dentists in each year since 1989.
§ Dr. Mawhinney[holding answer 16 November 1992]: The information requested is given in the table:
General dental services (GDS)—England Items of service Year Under 18s Adults Total 1988–89 20,968,540 58,119,870 79,088,410 1989–90 20,683,510 55,932,870 76,616,380 1990–91 19,114,484 70,460,387 89,574,871 1991–92 5,122,418 77,109,003 82,231,421 Note:
The data for each year are not comparable due to changes in the dental contract. Under the new GDS contract, introduced on 1 October 1990, most treatment for under-18s is undertaken under capitation and is no longer separately identified. For adults, the new fee scale subdivided many of the items of service.