§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that dental students on qualification are offered incentives to set up practices in areas of greatest dental need. [90779]
§ Mr. DenhamDental graduates who wish to become principals in general dental practice have to undergo a period of vocational training comprising placement at an approved practice and attendance at a locally organised training course. The Committee on Vocational Training collaborates with health authorities on the organisation and funding of the courses and seeks to ensure that they are accessible from most parts of the country. We will explore with the Committee whether greater priority should be given to areas with shortages of NHS dentists.