Dick Spring
Question:45 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that each health board is fully implementing section 67 of the Health Act, 1970; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dental Services for Adults.
I was aware when I came into office that some of the health boards were not fully implementing section 67 of the Health Act in so far as it relates to dental services and I established a small working group to review the situation. The working group concluded that it would be necessary to provide additional funds to enable the health board to provide routine dental services for adults. There have also been problems with the orthodontic service. The Government made £300,000 available for the orthodontic service late in 1989 and have made £3 million available in the 1990 budget specifically for both the adult dental services and for orthodontics. I am confident that this injection of resources will lead to a significant improvement in dental and orthodontic services.