§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what further steps he plans to take to increase provision of NHS dental services in Lancashire; and if he will make a statement. [77937]
§ Jacqui SmithIn East Lancashire the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Personal Dental Service has brought five whole time National Health Service dentists into the area together with a part-time dental therapist. The personal dental service (PDS) pilot provides NHS dental care for non-registered patients and for people finding difficulty in registering with a general dental practitioner. PDS pilots in the Preston, Blackpool and Chorley areas are also exploring new ways of providing NHS dentistry in their localities. A new NHS dental access centre will also open in Lancaster next year.
Three bids have also been made against the "Options for Change" funding to try and improve dental access and waiting times in Lancashire. A decision on these bids as well as other bids will be made in the near future.