HC Deb 26 June 1996 vol 280 c144W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of areas in England where people experience problems of gaining access to an NHS dentist. [33882]

Mr. Malone

There is no national problem of availability in national health service dentistry. There were 15,942 dentists on family health services authorities lists in December 1995, the highest December figure ever and 3,500 more than in 1979.

Health authorities are generally able to put patients who contact them in touch with dentists who will treat them. Where necessary, the health authority can make use of the community dental service or apply to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to appoint a salaried dentist. In April 1996, 140 salaried dentists were employed in England. In addition, health authorities will shortly be able to bid for funds from a new access fund for local schemes to improve accessibility to services.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have contacted each family health services authority or their equivalent asking for help in finding a dentist in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [34329]

Mr. Malone

This information was collected from July 1992 to March 1996. Information will be placed in the Library showing figures for the three full years available.

Mr. Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practitioners treating NHS patients were registered in each family health services authority or their equivalent for each of the last eight years. [34330]

Mr. Malone

Information will be placed in the library setting out the number of general dental practitioners on family health service authority lists in England.