§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to require dentists to notify patients of charges for all items of treatment. [112318]
§ Mr. HuttonDentists are required to display in a prominent position information about National Health Service charges. The information should include details of entitlement to exemption or remission from NHS charges. In addition, dentists who accept a person for continuing care and treatment are required at the time of the first examination, to provide a treatment plan and an estimate of the NHS charge where appropriate.
§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to introduce a recognised scale of fees for all dental treatment. [112317]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Statement of Dental Remuneration contains the scale of fees for all National Health Service dental treatment. Since 1995 a revised scale of fees has been published at least once a year. The latest edition is in the Library.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will calculate the rise in the cost of palladium-based precious metals used in dental appliances over the last 10 years; and if he will calculate the 59W percentage change in the palladium-based precious metals claimed for by dentists from the NHS over the last 10 years. [109581]
§ Mr. HuttonThe cost of palladium-based precious metals used in dental appliances depends on the prices negotiated in contracts between purchasers and suppliers. These will be affected by the price quotations in the metal markets. The average price for palladium in the London market in 1988–89 was about $130 or £75 and in 1998–99 was about $310 or £190. Palladium is only one constituent with fine gold and platinum in precious metal appliances.
Precious metal casting alloys for use in the General Dental Services must contain not less than 33 per cent. fine gold, platinum or palladium. The available data do not distinguish between the constituents of precious metal alloys and the incidence of precious metal dental appliances cannot therefore be broken down further.
Information on the number of incidences of the dental treatment item 1711, full or jacket crown cast in precious metal alloy and the comparable treatments 1705 and 1706 which were deleted from 1 December 1996, is shown for 1988–89 and 1998–99.
General Dental Services (GDS): Number of incidences England and Wales Item number 1988–89 1998–99 1705 7,240 — 1706 154,180 — 1711 52,670 259,359 Total 214,090 259,359 The total number of incidences for the treatments shown increased by 21 per cent. between 1988–89 and 1998–99.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what system of control is operated by this Department to ensure that dental patients receive the dental appliances consisting of palladium-based precious metals claimed for by dentists from the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [109585]
§ Mr. HuttonAll dental materials used to manufacture dental appliances must be safe and fit for their purpose and must meet the requirements of the Medical Devices Regulations. Dental appliances must be manufactured in accordance with a dentist's instructions.
Regulations provide that a dentist shall not claim or accept any fee or other remuneration in respect of any treatment which has not been provided. There is a system by which restorations which are claimed to have been placed can be inspected by a Dental Reference Officer of the Dental Practice Board.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the use of non-precious metals in dental appliances in the NHS; and if he will calculate the percentage change in the non-precious metals claimed for in the last 10 years. [109583]
§ Mr. HuttonBoth precious and non-precious metal alloys continue to have their place in restorative dentistry. The Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) sets out60W the conditions as to materials which may be used in the fabrication of appliances in the General Dental Services. The wide diversity of both precious and non-precious metal alloys to meet true clinical need is reflected in the SDR.
The SDR, including the conditions as to materials, is under continuing review with the representatives of the dental profession so as to reflect current best practice.
Information on the number of incidences of the dental treatment item 1712, full or jacket crown cast in non-precious metal alloy for 1988–89 and 1998–99, is shown in the table:
General Dental Service (GDS): number of incidences England and Wales 1988–89 1998–99 Percentage increase Number of incidences 5,520 28,217 411 The increase in the number of these incidences is affected by changes in the types of treatment available over the ten year period.