§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the situation relating to provision of dental services in Gwynedd and in particular Meirionnydd Nant Conwy and the constituency of Caernarfon.
§ Mr. RichardsFollowing the Secretary of State's announcement of an extra £2.5 million for dental services in Wales, Gwynedd health authority, along with all other Welsh health authorities, has been invited to bring forward proposals to improve the quality and availability of dental services in its area. Already in this financial year, the Welsh Office has provided an additional £50,000 for the authority to purchase extra treatment sessions from the community dental service.
Gwynedd family health services authority has permission to employ salaried dentists. The Welsh Office is funding all the costs associated with this salaried dental service including the recruitment campaign; the salaries of all staff employed; all other practice expenses; and the costs of converting and equipping dental suites at Caernarfon, Pwllheli and Llanfairfechan.
Location incentive grants are also available from the Welsh Office to attract new general dental practitioners into Gwynedd.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when was his Department's last review of the provision of community dentistry in Wales; what were its fundings; how matters have proceeded since 1989; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RichardsThe subject of community dentistry may be discussed with each of the district health authorities as part of the normal annual review process by the Welsh Office, which assesses their performance jointly with family health services authorities. The district health authorities are responsible for commissioning community dental services in light of local needs and locally determined priorities. They are also responsible for monitoring services.