§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the adult population in Cheltenham are registered with an NHS dentist. [122006]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on dental registrations in individual constituencies is not collected by the Department. In the Gloucestershire Health Authority area 31 per cent. of the adult population was registered with a National Health Service dentist at 31 March 2000.
In Cheltenham patients who are not registered with a NHS dentist can receive treatment under the personal dental service scheme. On Monday to Friday emergency patients can access treatment via the health authority's dental helpline. Gloucestershire Health Authority has submitted proposals for a dental access centre in Cheltenham. A decision about this scheme will be made shortly.