HC Deb 23 June 1994 vol 245 cc303-4W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of children aged under 16 years are registered with a dentist in each family health service authority.

Dr. Mawhinney

This information is not available in the form requested.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will restore free dental examinations for all patients;

(2) what plans she has to raise the proportion of dental treatment costs paid by patients.

Dr. Mawhinney

The level of patient charges is always kept under review.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the amount which will be raised by dental charges in the current year; what amount is raised from dental check-ups; and how much would be raised by increasing to 100 per cent. the proportion of charges paid by patients.

Dr. Mawhinney

The 1994 estimates anticipate income from patient charges in the general dental services in England at £398 million, net of refunds. We estimate that about £60 million of this total will be derived from charges for dental examinations. Assuming no change in the volume of national health service dental treatment or the curent maximum charge level, raising the proportional charge to 100 per cent. would raise between £90 and £100 million in additional charge income in a full year, at current prices.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average cost to the patient of a course of dental treatment.

Dr. Mawhinney

We estimate that the average cost to a patient who paid the full national health service charge was £19.78, and to a patient who received partial remission from NHS charges £14.10.