§ Lord Colwynasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they are taking to ensure that health authorities fulfil their statutory obligation to provide dental inspection, dental treatment and dental health education of school children; and
What measures they are taking to ensure the continuation of the intended use of the community dental services as a "safety net" for patients unable to obtain dental treatment in the general dental services, when the NHS trusts are making community dental service dentists redundant.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonGuidelines have recently been issued to the National Health Service which reinforce the important roles of the community dental services in providing a safety net function for patients experiencing difficulty in obtaining treatment in the general dental service, and oral screening for children in state funded schools. A copy of the guidelines will be placed in the Library.
§ Lord Colwynasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list those health authorities which are proposing to cut their community dental services budgets.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonHealth authorities are responsible for determining service priorities within their budget allocation.