§ Mr. BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on dental registration and the availability of NHS dentistry. [23426]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Government are committed to improving access to National Health Service dentistry and tackling oral health inequalities. We have recently announced a further £10 million to expand our Investing in Dentistry initiative in 1998–99. The registration period for both adult continuing care and child capitation has been harmonised at fifteen months following each course of treatment. This will improve value for money by focusing resources on those patients receiving active care. We shall redeploy any savings to target improvements in oral health.