§ Lord Hoyleasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many pensioners have had free dental treatment in each of the past two years; and what was the cost. [HL3587]
§ Lord WarnerThe number of courses of National Health Service dental treatment provided to men aged 65 years or over and women aged 60 years or over, who did not have to pay a patient charge, is given in the table. The patient charge that would have been payable is also shown.
Number of courses of treatment Patient charge (£ million) 2002–03 914,400 40.3 2003–04 949,200 41.9 The patient charge accounts for 80 per cent of the total cost of the treatment up to a maximum charge to the patient of £372.