HC Deb 08 January 2002 vol 377 cc613-4W
Mr. Reed

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average level of remuneration for NHS dentists. [18478]

Ms Blears

Salaried national health service dentists are paid according to set salary scales. Information on individual salaries is not available.

Dentists providing general dental services (GDS) are remunerated on the basis of fees set out in the statement of dental remuneration. Under their terms of service, GDS dentists are not required to work a set number of hours and information is not collected on the average number of hours they work in the GDS.

However, a survey carried out by the Office of Manpower Economics in March 2000 provides some limited data on this area. The survey reported: the average number of hours worked for single handed dentists at 43.1 hours per week. full time practitioners wholly committed to the GDS reported total gross fee earnings averaging £163,900 in the most recently completed financial year. These figures are affected by transfers of payments from associate dentists to practice owners.

Average net income for all dentists wholly committed to the GDS in the latest 12 months would be about £65,000 after allowing for an average of £2,600 for other payments to dentists, an average expenses ratio for all dental work of 54.1 per cent., subsequent fee increases and the introduction of the dentists' commitment payments scheme.

Mr. Tyler

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of NHS dentists due to retire over the next 10 years. [19945]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 3 December 2001]A review of the dental workforce is under way and due to report to Ministers in spring 2002.

Mr. Hoban

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the availability of NHS dentistry in Fareham; [22378]

(2) how many NHS dental practices there were in Fareham in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000. [22379]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 11 December 2001]One practice in Fareham is currently taking national health service patients. The others have closed their NHS lists temporarily but will be opening them again in the new year. NHS Direct is working closely with the dental access centre in Fareham to ensure patients are able to access NHS treatment.

The number of dental practices in the Fareham constituency, for the years requested, is not available centrally.

Tony Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists are in practice in the town of Workington; and if he will make a statement. [23102]

Ms Blears

There are currently 12 dentists, in four practices, in Workington providing full national health service services