NHS Dentistry (Hansard, 7 May 2002)

§ 32. Dr. Iddon
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what incentives are given to dentists to practise within the NHS in socially deprived areas. [52803]

§ Ms Blears
Health authorities have the power to commission local personal dental services contracts with dentists. This provides for the occasional treatment of non-registered patients and is particularly useful in making up shortfalls in urgent treatment. The Government supported this scheme with over £1 million funding in 2001–02 and we are currently considering ways of building on this provision during 2002–03.
This is an especially valuable service to patients in deprived areas where registrations with dentists are particularly low. In addition, dental access centres are increasing opportunities for employment of salaried dentists in a number of socially deprived areas.

§ 37. Mr. Boswell
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of(a) children and (b) adults in England are registered with an NHS dentist. [52808]

§ Ms Blears
60 per cent. of children and 43 per cent. of adults were registered with a General Dental Service (GDS) dentist in England at 28 February 2002.

§ 38. Charlotte Atkins
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS dental services. [52809]

§ Ms Blears
Arrangements are now in place to ensure that patients can gain access to National Health Services simply by calling NHS Direct. This means that even if a patient chooses not to register with a dentist it will still be possible for that patient to access all forms of dentistry that are provided by the NHS.
Over the last 18 months we have spent £100 million on modernising NHS dentistry. £10 million of this was for the dental care development fund and the dentistry action plan fund to support local plans to improve access. This money enables health authorities to assist dentists seeking to set up new practices and to expand and modernise existing ones.
The modernising project "Options for Change" is looking at all aspects of the delivery of dental care, and has involved the profession at a high level throughout.
Officials have developed a positive relationship with the profession, and are continuing to work with them to improve the remuneration system, and provide incentives for dentists to remain in the NHS. This year the commitment payment scheme, which has been well received by the profession, was extended to include dentists with five years of service in the NHS.