Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 March 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimates he has made of the number of dental technicians who illegally provide dentures direct to the public; how many successful prosecutions have been made for cases of providing illegal dentures; and in how many of these cases harm was caused to a patient; what estimates he has made of the number of dentures (a) made and (b) sold illegally in each of the past five years. - Inc ref to 417 c1203W, 9 February 2004.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimates he has made of the number of dental technicians who illegally provide dentures direct to the public; how many successful prosecutions have been made for cases of providing illegal dentures; and in how many of these cases harm was caused to a patient; [161295] (2) what estimates he has made of the number of dentures (a) made and (b) sold illegally in each of the past five years. [161296] Ms Rosie Winterton: No figures are available for the number of dentures made or sold by clinical dental technicians. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr.Burstow) on 9 February 2004, Official Report, column 1203W, with regard to the number of prosecutions and convictions for illegal dental practice. Information is not available on whether harm was caused to the patient involved, but I understand that the General Dental Council's decision to prosecute is usually prompted by a complaint from a patient.

Secondary information