Written question asked by Sandra Gidley (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 November 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many dental technicians had the necessary skills to construct dentures in England in each year since 1997.

Answer: Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental technicians had the necessary skills to construct dentures in England in each year since 1997. [195523] Ms Rosie Winterton: As dental technician is not yet a registrable profession, there is no official record of their numbers or competencies. We estimate that, since 1997, the number of dental technicians who are capable of manufacturing or contributing to the manufacture of dentures has remained fairly constant at about 9,000. Subject to the approval of an Order to be made under Section 60 of the Health Act 1999, we plan to give the General Dental Council powers to register dental technicians early in 2005.

Secondary information