§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many dental practitioners with fewer than two years post-qualification experience there are in the county of Gwynedd; and if he will make a statement. [18227]
§ Mr. RichardsAccording to information supplied by the family health services authority, there is one dentist in Gwynedd with fewer than two years post-qualification experience.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) how many representations his Department has received from people in Gwynedd on the subject of the provision of dental services in the county; and if he will make a statement; [18882]
(2) what.proposals he has to improve the provision of dental services in the county of Gwynedd, and if he will make a statement. [18885]
(3) how many representations he has received from people in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy during the past 12 months on the subject of the provision of dental services; and if he will make a statement. [18888]
§ Mr. RichardsIn the past 12 months, 93 representations have been received about dental services in Gwynedd, including 57 from Members of Parliament. Information relating only to people living in Meirionnydd Nant Conwy is not readily available.
During the same period, the Gwynedd family health services authority has received nearly £7,000 to cover the cost of local initiatives aimed at increasing NHS dental provision. A location incentive grant has also been agreed by the Welsh Office to assist a dentist to open a new practice in Dolgellau.
The Welsh Office has also provided a grant of £50,000 to the health authority to enable it to purchase extra community dental sessions and continues to support the Gwynedd family health service authority salaried dental service.
On 30 January, the Secretary of State announced that he is making a further £2.5 million available to improve dental services in the community. Proposals from the Gwynedd health authorities are being considered.
On 5 April, the Government announced their plans for the reform of NHS dentistry following consultation on their Green Paper, Improving NHS Dentistry. The Government believe that the measures proposed will provide stability and security for NHS dentistry, deliver increased quality of treatment for patients and promote better use of resources by targeting care on areas of greatest need.