§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received in response to the de-registering of patients who have not visited their dentist within the last 15 months; and if he will make a statement. [21322]
§ Mr. MilburnFrom 1 September 1996, the registration period for both adult continuing care and child capitation was harmonised to provide patients with a period of continuing dental care for 15 months following each course of treatment. The aim of the changes was to improve value for money by focusing payments to dentists on those patients receiving active care from them.
Patients lapse from dentists' lists only if they have not seen their dentists since they registered. This is so, irrespective of the length of the registration period. Patients who attend their dentist at least every 15 months, have their registration period rolled forward automatically for another 15 months when they attend. They will notice no difference from the changes. Less regular attenders are still fully entitled to NHS dental treatment.
The changes to the registration periods were agreed with the British Dental Association (BDA) before they were implemented in September 1996. The BDA has recently changed its position, and has asked the Department to look again at the length of the registration periods.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he intends to take to encourage patients to register with their dentists before the Government regulations relating to patients who have not visited their dentist within the last 15 months are enforced. [21324]
§ Mr. MilburnPatients who attend their dentist regularly will not be affected by the change in registration period. Less regular attenders are still fully entitled to National Health Service dental treatment, and are free to register at any time with a dentist willing to accept them.