§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase spending on NHS dentistry. [109854]
§ Mr. HuttonWe have accepted in full the recommendations of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' remuneration. These include an increase of 3.3 per cent. in general dental practitioners' (GDPs') remuneration and awards totalling about £17 million per year in England to reward GDPs' commitment to the National Health Service. The Review Body's recommendations will increase expenditure by over £50 million a year. The other principal factor determining expenditure on the General Dental Service will be the number of patients registered and treated by individual GDPs. As they work within a non cash limited service, their activity is not constrained to a fixed, pre-set budget. Expenditure levels on the Community and Hospital Dental Services are set by individual health authorities in the light of their local operational needs and priorities. We are considering currently what, if any, further expenditure is needed.