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, what proportion of dentists' training dealt with dentures in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figure.

Answer: Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of dentists' training dealt with dentures in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [195525] Ms Rosie Winterton: Precise information is not available centrally, but I understand from the General Dental Council, which is responsible for the curriculum for dental undergraduate education, that the proportion has reduced. The reasons are that there has been an encouraging reduction in the number of edentulous patients--from 37 per cent. of adults in 1968 to 12 per cent. in 1998--and recognition that most dentists now delegate the manufacture of dentures to dental technicians.

Secondary information