§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dentists were registered to treat NHS patients in each year from 1992 to 1999(a) by parliamentary constituency, (b) in Greater London and (c) in England and Wales; [135780]
(2) what was the average number of patients registered with an NHS dentist in each year from 1992 to 1999 (a) by constituency, (b) in Greater London and (c) in England and Wales. [135781]
§ Mr. HuttonThe number of principal dentists on a health authority (HA) list (Family Health Services Authority (FHSA) for 1992 to 1995) in the General Dental Services at 30 September in each of the years 1992 to 1999 is shown in tables by(a) health authority (b) in Greater London, defined by HAs indicated and (c) in England and Wales. The tables have been placed in the Library.
The average number of patients registered with a principal dentist in the General Dental Services at 30 September in each of the years 1992 to 1999 is shown in tables by (a) health authority (b) in Greater London, defined by HAs indicated and (c) in England and Wales. This has been obtained by dividing the number of registrations by the number of principal dentists on a HA list.
Registration numbers from December 1997 are affected by the shortening of the registration period to 15 months. Previously the period was 24 months for adults, while children's registrations expired at the end of the following calendar year if the patient had not visited their dentist in the meantime. Registration numbers between 1992 and 1999 were also affected by administration changes.
Data are not available by parliamentary constituency.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on dental services(a) nationally and (b) in Coventry South. [136590]
§ Mr. HuttonOn 28 September 1999, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced that within two years there would be access to NHS dentistry for everyone who wants it via NHS Direct. The dental strategy,70W "Modernising NHS Dentistry—Implementing the NHS Plan", published on 19 September 2000, shows how that pledge can be met. The strategy focuses on the areas of access, quality and oral health and is supported by £100 million new funding. Responsibility for dentistry is devolved to health authorities and they will be performance managed on service provision in their area.
There are 24 practices in Coventry still accepting new patients for NHS dental treatment. A dental access centre across five sites in Coventry and Warwickshire is due to open soon. Dental access centres provide a complete range of dental services, including routine and urgent care. People do not need to register to see a dentist at a centre, and centres have extended opening times.