HC Deb 01 April 1998 vol 309 cc563-4W
Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will increase the grant offered to dentists to set up in areas lacking NHS provision; [36674]

(2) what steps he is planning to take to encourage general dental practitioners to set up practice in areas of rural Wales where there is a shortage of NHS dentists. [36673]

Mr. Win Griffiths

The Welsh Office is doing all it can to assist Health Authorities to attract more dentists into those parts of Wales where they are most needed.

The £3m dental initiative, first launched in 1995, has enabled Welsh Health Authorities to offer unprecedented levels of grant (up to £50,000 in some areas) to dentists for new or expanding practices, and to NHS Trusts to expand the Community Dental Service. In July 1997, and additional £250,000 was provided for continuation of the initiative.

We are aware that there are particular problem associated with service provision in rural areas. The initiative is being reviewed and we are considering what more can be done to overcome those problems.