Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 June 2002. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 June 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 17th April 2002, 383 c1019W, what the cost per tube was of toothpaste distributed; what areas of the country were targeted for the project; and what evaluation of the scheme has taken place. - Including figures.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 17 April, Official Report, column 1019W, what the cost per tube was of toothpaste distributed; what areas of the country were targeted for the project; and what evaluation of the scheme has taken place. [57091] Mr. Lammy: The total cost of each pack provided under the scheme is less than £1. The exact price is commercially sensitive information. £1 million has been set aside for the project. It initially covered the 21 health authorities with the highest levels of dental decay--11 in the North, 5 in Yorkshire and 5 in London--and also all areas not in receipt of fluoridated water where there are Sure Start schemes. However, we have since added 5 more in the North, 3 in Yorkshire and 2 in Devon, bringing the total health authorities benefiting from this scheme to 31. The Department has commissioned The Guys, Kings and St. Thomas Dental School to evaluate the scheme, which is due to run for 3 years.

Secondary information