Parliamentary questions on current topics
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- Published: Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:51
- Written by News Editor
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Ministers have had to respond to two recent news stories, the BDA’s press release that half of dentists were considering leaving the NHS and the news that fines were being levied on patients who had wrongly claimed exemption from charges. The replies were aimed to be reassuring it would appear.
Justin Madders Shadow Minister (Health) asked what assessment had been made of the implications for dental services of the BDA’s press release of 1 October 2017 on the number of dentists intending to leave NHS dentistry.
Junior minister, Jackie Doyle-Price, said the Government is committed to supporting dentists and National Health Service dental services. She continued saying that NHS England has advised that it has not had any widespread reports of difficulty nationally in contracting dental providers to deliver NHS care. She added that in 2016/17, 3,847 more dentists worked in the NHS than were working in the NHS when the current contract started in 2006/ 2007.
Oliver Dowden, Conservative MP for Hertsmere, asked what steps had been taken to improve information for patients who may be exempt from dental charges.
Junior minister, Steve Brine, replied that the Department had made available to all NHS dental practices a patient leaflet which included information on how to claim free treatment and reminded practices annually of the need to display the leaflets. He added that information was also set out on the NHS Choices website and was regularly reviewed.
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