§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to introduce dental charges for pregnant women and nursing mothers who are currently exempt from making a contribution;
(2) what assessment she has made of the way in which pregnant women and nursing mothers benefit from receiving free dental health.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe removal of the exemption from dental charges for pregnant women and nursing mothers was one option raised by Sir Kenneth Bloomfield in his fundamental review of dental remuneration.
The Government are undertaking wide consultation on the report and no decisions of any of the options have yet been made. At present pregnant women and nursing mothers benefit from not paying national health service dental charges, although some will be exempt on other grounds also.