§ Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentures the NHS provided in each year since 2000–01. [161373]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonSince the National Health Service was founded over 50 years ago, there has been a real and sustained improvement in oral health. Since the 1960s the proportion of adults with no natural teeth has fallen by 65 per cent. and adults with natural teeth now have on average 14 per cent. more.
Information on the number of dentures provided by the NHS is shown in the table for the general dental service (GDS) and personal dental service (PDS) for England, from the year ending March 2000 to the year ending March 2003. 594W
Number of dentures provided by the NHS year ending March Type of treatment 2000 2001 2002 2003 GDS Full upper and lower denture 177,880 165,928 153,647 135,531 Full upper or lower denture 105,927 102,217 97,531 95,935 Partial denture1 409,090 419,455 409,679 405,088 PDS 6,025 9,083 13,141 18,305 Total 698,922 696,683 673,998 654,858 1There may be several partial dentures in a single combination
§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Health from whom dentists from EU accession states can obtain details of the procedure for obtaining accreditation to(a) set up in private practice and (b) to qualify for employment within the NHS; whether this information is available on a website; and if he will make a statement. [161983]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 17 March 2004]: Dentists from European Union accession states will need to contact the General Dental Council to get details of the procedure for registration in the United Kingdom. Advice on English language requirements necessary to practise in the National Health Service is provided on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HealthAndSocialCare Topics/Dental.
The National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education also offers relevant advice. Its website is: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds/nacpde.