PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Dental Services (2 December 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to oblige NHS-registered dentists to undertake root canal work in accordance with NHS Band 2 charges.

Asked by:
Sir Christopher Chope (Conservative)

Dentists contract with NHS England to provide primary dental care. Dental regulations already set out the requirements on dentists along with the charges that may be levied for various levels of treatment. Dentists are required to deliver all clinically necessary treatment including routine fillings, root canal work (endodontic treatment) and more complex treatment such as crowns and bridges.

Failure to deliver treatment the dentist judged clinically necessary or, if the treatment is beyond the competence of the dentist, to refer on for other National Health Service care would be a breach of contract. Incorrect clinical care is also, potentially, a matter for the General Dental Council. If patients have concerns these should be raised through the NHS complaints process. This is set out at:

http://www.nhs.uk/choiceintheNHS/Rightsandpledges/complaints/Pages/NHScomplaints.aspx

Answered by:
Dr Dan Poulter (Labour)
9 December 2014