§ Dr. Richard TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of(a) the average cost of dental treatment by an NHS dentist and (b) the average cost of treatment at the new NHS drop-in centres being developed. [76245]
§ Mr. LammyThe average gross cost for a course of dental treatment including patient charges in the general dental service (GDS) in England was £36.33 for adults in 2001–02. The average cost for a course of treatment for charge exempt adult patients was £53.61.
Comparable information for dental access centres (DACs) is not available and the pattern of treatment provided in DACs is not directly comparable to the 827W GDS. Total revenue available for DACs in 2002–03 is £35 million. It is anticipated that around 300,000 patients will be treated in these centres during the course of this financial year. Final allocations will be adjusted to take account of the overall performance of each centre.
§ Linda GilroyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to raise the retirement age for general dental surgery principals; and what his policy is on retention of seniority payments for such principals. [76247]
§ Mr. LammyAt present general dental services (GDS) principals are removed from dental lists on 1 April following their 65th birthday, but can continue to work as assistants, or privately. We plan to amend the GDS regulations to increase this age limit to 70 years at the next available opportunity, which is likely to be in the spring of 2003. Principals who continue to work beyond the age of 65 will retain entitlement to claim seniority payments in accordance with the conditions set out in Determination III of the Statement of Dental Remuneration.