Written question asked by John Leech (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 20 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 June 2006. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 July 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dentistry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there are plans to extend the provision of training for dental technicians at the new dental schools.

Answer: As part of a major investment programme for the expansion of dental education, we announced in January the establishment of a new Peninsula dental school with bases in Plymouth, Devonport and Truro and the development of outreach dental education in Central Lancashire and Hull. It is for higher and further education institutions to determine the provision they make for the training of dental technicians. I understand a number of dental schools are considering whether provision for the training of dental technicians could be incorporated into the expansion programme, but no specific proposals have yet emerged.

Secondary information