§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have deregistered, or have refused to accept for NHS treatment(a) adults, (b) children under 18 years, (c) families with a certificate for full help with cost of NHS services, (d) those in full-time education under 19 years, (e) expectant mothers, (f) mothers with babies up to the age of 12 months and (g) anyone receiving income support or family credit.
§ Dr. MawhinneyBetween 3 July 1992 and 5 February 1993, 1,586 dentists (of a total of 15,433 at 30 September 1992) gave notice to family health services authorities of their intention to deregister 358,300 (1.74 per cent.) adult patients and 182 dentists gave notice of their intention to deregister 1,196 (less than 1 per cent.) child patients. During this same period there was a net increase of 600,000 in the number of adult registrations. Dentists are independent contractors and are free to accept or refuse patients for national health service treatment. The remaining information requested is not held centrally.