HC Deb 28 July 1997 vol 299 cc90-1W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists offered NHS treatment in each year since 1979. [10902]

Mr. Milburn

The table sets out the number of dentists on a family health services authority/health authority list at 30 September 1979 to 30 September 1996.

General Dental Service: number of dentists at 30 September from 1979 to 1996
England
Date Number of dentists
1979 12,146
1980 12,415
1981 12,835
1982 13,258
1983 13,672
1984 14,066
1985 14,334
1986 14,516
1987 14,765
1988 15,070
1989 15,351
1990 15,480
1991 15,451
1992 15,411
1993 15,773
1994 15,885
1995 15,951
1996 16,366

1. Figures include principals on a FHSA/HA list and their assistants and vocational trainees.

2. Some dentists have a contract with more than one family health services authority/health authority. These dentists are counted only once.

3. Figures exclude salaried, hospital or community dentists.