§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding will be allocated to the recruitment and retention of dentists under the NHS Plan in each of the next three years: and how many dentists were employed in the NHS from outside the UK in each of the last three years. [153738]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 14 March 2001]: Our strategy for modernising NHS dentistry was published in September 2000 "Modernising NHS Dentistry—Implementing the NHS Plan". In that publication we announced that £100 million would be invested in NHS dentistry by April 2002.
This year we have made available £4 million through the Dental Care Development Fund to reimburse dentists who expand their practices and treat more NHS patients. We are considering the need for a similar scheme in 2001–02 when we will also make available up to £35 million to modernise NHS dental practices and make commitment to the NHS even more worthwhile for dentists.
A new Commitment Payment Scheme was introduced from April 2000 to reward dentists in the General Dental Service for their past and present commitment. We plan to spend a sum in the order of £18 million for payments made to eligible dentists in England in respect of 2001–02. From April 2001 the scheme will be revised and enhanced; we expect the funding to be around £22 million in respect of payment due in 2001–02.
We are discussing with the profession additional financial support for dentists to undertake clinical governance, which will include clinical audit and peer review, and to support continuing professional development.
Information about the number of dentists working in the National Health Service who have come from outside the United Kingdom is available only for dentists in the General Dental Services in England and is given in the table.
722W
General dental service: Number of dentists by country of qualification at 30 September each year England Country of qualification 1998 1999 2000 United Kingdom 14,765 14,959 15,061 Total overseas 2,199 2,457 2,656 South Africa 638 774 864 Sweden 433 538 630 Irish Republic 577 542 513
General dental service: Number of dentists by country of qualification at 30 September each year England Country of qualification 1998 1999 2000 Australia 173 174 171 New Zealand 125 131 133 Denmark 48 58 68 Greece 39 47 52 Malaysia 50 50 48 Germany 21 28 32 Netherlands 27 29 30 Finland 11 15 27 Other countries 57 71 88 Total 16,964 17,416 17,717 Notes:
1. Dentists are principals on a health authority list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
2. Data exclude dentists whose title of registration is shown as Statutory Exams and those dentists awaiting entry.