---

Health and Social Care Bill

Amendment No. 137 would amend the Dentists Act 1984 to allow retired dentists to remain on the dentists register on the payment of a reduced fee. It also makes provision for such dentists to be restored to the register on payment of a fee if the reason for their erasure was non-payment of that fee. The noble Baroness, Lady Gardner, is correct that the Dentists Act does not currently contain a provision that would allow for this. I fully understand the feeling of loss of connection to the profession when a dentist retires. As the noble Baroness knows, I have a great deal of sympathy with the argument that she has made. Removal from the register signifies that a dentist is no longer in practice but, as the noble Baroness has so eloquently described, it also means a great deal else. My officials have spoken to the General Dental Council about this issue. Its view remains that the dentists register exists to protect the public and that it is not appropriate for it to maintain a list of former dentists. The noble Baroness made a powerful case. I would like to reassure her that, should the view of the General Dental Council on this point change in the future, the Government would consider making such a change through an order under Section 60 of the Health Act 1999. We do not consider that primary legislation would be required. It is therefore not necessary to make such a provision in this Bill, as we already have the flexibility to do this through secondary legislation, if the need arises. I can feel a campaign coming on here. We do not think that it would be appropriate to accept this amendment without the agreement of the General Dental Council, so I hope that the noble Baroness, Lady Gardner, will feel able to withdraw it. I just say something about hypno-dentists. A member of my family benefited greatly from one; they were very frightened and the treatment helped them to have the necessary dental care.