HC Deb 07 July 2003 vol 408 c655W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to improve career opportunities in dentistry for(a) nurses, (b) therapists and (c) hygienists. [122627]

Ms Rosie Winterton

We are working with the General Dental Council on a review of the extent to which professionals complementary to dentistry can undertake the practice and business of dentistry in order to develop team working in dentistry. We are also considering proposals for the development of competency-based modular training programmes, which would, in the longer-term, facilitate movement between the different dental professions.