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Dental Services (Sutton and Merton)

My experience is that when a contract is working well in the NHS, and when we are building on a good relationship with PCTs and dental services, it is obviously wrong to go back on it. We should build on the success of NHS dentistry and PCT involvement. The system of the 1990s and before did not work but, since 2006, the new contract has led to proven improvements in oral health and in NHS services to patients. PCTs would do well to consider that and to continue the progress that has been made. There have been solid achievements in the first year of the new system. There is, of course, still much work to do, including building up trust in the contracts and in working relationships. Nevertheless, investment is growing, the local NHS is commissioning a steadily increasing volume of dentistry, and the numbers of NHS dentists are back on an upward track. The Government are committed to working with the NHS and the profession to build further on that progress. I am confident that there will be co-operation, and I will always welcome the opinion and comments of the hon. Gentleman on what is an important issue. Question put and agreed to.