§ Ms LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what measures are in hand to improve access to NHS dental services in Wales. [54614]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesThe Welsh Office £3m dental initiative, first launched in September 1995, enabled Welsh Health Authorities to offer unprecedented levels of grant (up to £50,000 in certain areas) to dentists for new or expanding practices, and to NHS Trusts to expand the Community Dental Service. An additional £0.25m for the continuation of the dental initiative was announced on 17 July 1997 as part of the comprehensive primary care initiative "Delivering Care: Meeting Need".
Sixty-one grants have already been paid but there are still some areas where certain categories of patients may find it difficult to register with an NHS dentist close to home. This can be a particular problem in the more rural parts of Wales.
Stage 2 of the initiative, launched on 10 July this year, introduces more flexibility into the grant scheme, both in terms of the extent and length of commitment required. It also offers more help to dentists who want to open new part-time or branch practices in certain areas, where this would be the best way of meeting local needs.
The Government are committed to ensuring that a comprehensive, good quality, NHS dental service is available to all who wish to use it no matter where they live, and the continuation of this Welsh Office initiative demonstrates our determination to tackle any remaining inequity of access to health care.