§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will introduce regulations to lay down minimum quality standards for dentistry; [63483]
(2) what provision currently exists to ensure minimum standards of quality in NHS dentistry in the United Kingdom. [63484]
§ Mr. MilburnGeneral dental practitioners working in the National Health Service have to meet the conditions set out in the Dentists Act 1984 and rules made by the General Dental Council under this Act and must also comply with the terms of service contained in the National Health Service General Dental Services (Regulations) 1990.
We will be reviewing these arrangements in connection with our initiative to modernise the regulation of the health car professions.
§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health by what methods his Department records and evaluates complaints which arise in private dental practice. [63485]
§ Mr. MilburnThe General Dental Council, of which the Department's Chief Dental Officer is a member, investigates allegations of serious professional misconduct in private dental practice.
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§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what meetings he has had with the General Dental Council over the past twelve months and what was discussed. [63486]
§ Mr. MilburnMy right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State met the President of the General Dental Council, usually accompanied by the Registrar, on at least three occasions in the past twelve months. We have discussed a number of issues relating to dentistry and the regulation of the profession.
§ Mr. CannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the proportion of dentistry services provided by corporate bodies in the United Kingdom; and if he will examine recent changes in that proportion. [63487]
§ Mr. MilburnNone. Only those corporate bodies referred to in Section 43 of the Dentists Act may carry out the business of dentistry.