§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many additional staff will be required; and what will be the cost of introducing the more rigorous prior approval system for dental care; [20702]
(2) if she will make a statement on the details of the proposed more rigorous prior approval mechanism for dental treatment under the NHS; and to what extent this has been influenced by a study of the system in Russia; [20680]
272W(3) what is the maximum delay in providing dental care she will approve following the introduction of the more rigorous prior approval mechanism for dental care; [20696]
(4) what estimate she has made of the total additional administrative costs which will be incurred by dentists providing NHS dental care when the more rigorous prior approval mechanism for dental care is introduced. [20703]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Government will develop more rigorous prior approval mechanisms for dental care to ensure that all treatments that are clinically essential are available through national health service dentistry, but that only those treatments which are clinically essential and for which there is no clinically acceptable, less costly, alternative are provided. This will promote better use of available resources. The Government's proposals were not influenced by study of the system in Russia. Details of the mechanisms will be developed in consultation with the dental profession.
The aim is to develop guidelines and protocols which will promote a clear understanding among dentists of the conditions under which treatment may be approved. This should prevent the submission of inappropriate requests for approval. If there are fewer requests, then there would be fewer rejections.
There is no reason to expect that patients would have to wait for a longer period for treatment to be approved under more rigorous prior approval than they do at present. Nor need there be an increase in administrative cost for the Dental Practice Board.