§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact which moving responsibilities for dentistry from health authorities to primary care trusts has had on registration numbers. [135281]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonPrimary care trusts (PCTs) took over the responsibility for the administration of the general dental services (GDS) arrangements from 1 October 2002. National arrangements for determining remuneration of dentists working in the GDS were not affected by these changes. The level of patient registrations in the GDS has remained broadly stable since October 2002. Patients do not need registration in order to access national health service dentistry through the community or personal dental services. Arrangements are also in place for patients to access NHS dentistry on an occasional basis in the GDS.
Subject to Parliament, the Health & Social Care (Community Health & Standards) Bill will give new duties to PCTs from April 2005 to secure dental services and will enable them to provide assistance and support to dental practices with which they contract. From the same date, the £1.2 billion held centrally for dentistry will be devolved to PCTs to support them in delivering their new duties on dentistry.
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§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists offered NHS treatment in(a) Taunton and (b) Somerset in each year since 1997. [136899]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonInformation is available for the Somerset Health Authority area for the years 1997 to 2001 and is shown in the following table. For the years 2002 and 2003, information is given in the table for Taunton Dean Primary Care Trust (PCT) area and for four Somerset PCTs.
General Dental Service: Number of Dentists in Somerset 1997 to 2003
Primary Care Trust/ Health Authority
Date Number of dentists
Somerset PCTs1 30 June 2003 233 Somerset PCTs1 30 September 2002 227 Somerset HA 30 September each year 2001 176 2000 181 1999 165 1998 163 1997 163 1Taunton Deane PCT, Somerset Coast PCT, South Somerset PCT and Mendip PCT
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the safety of(a) mercury and (b) silver fillings in dentistry; [138971]
(2) what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) received on risks associated with using (i) mercury and (ii) silver in tooth fillings; and if he will make a statement. [138985]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonDental amalgam is a combination of alloy particles, mainly silver, and mercury. Dental amalgam is the most frequently used material for restoring decayed teeth. Its main advantages include wide indications for use, ease of handling and excellent physical properties. It has been used in dentistry with good results for more than a century.
The 1998 European Union expert report concluded that currently available data indicate that mercury from dental amalgam restorations will not cause an unacceptable health risk to the general population. There is little evidence that an unacceptable health risk is associated with occupational exposure of dental personnel providing due care is used in the preparation and handling of dental amalgam. The same report also concluded that there is no scientific evidence that the use of dental amalgam is related to adverse effects on pre-and post-natal health or fertility. There are therefore no plans to commission further research into amalgam safety. However, it remains the Department's advice that dentists should continue to avoid or delay any dental intervention or medication during pregnancy.