§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are used to decide whether to open dental access centres. [45464]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 25 March 2002]: Dental access centres (DACs) are pilot schemes established as part of the Personal Dental Services initiative. They 1048W provide access to National Health Service dentistry in areas where other sources of treatment do not meet demand. The location of DACs was determined by combining several sources of information on availability and access problems: statistical data, in particular registration figures and expenditure changes; self reporting by health authorities; and the local knowledge of regional offices.