To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for (a) primary and (b) secondary orthodontic treatment in Buckinghamshire. [103771]

The information on waiting times for orthodontic treatment that is available is the number waiting for a first outpatient appointment at a hospital and the number waiting for admission to hospital for orthodontic treatment.At 31 December 2002, 59 patients were waiting for a first outpatient appointment for orthodontic treatment in Buckinghamshire. 39 of these patients had been waiting less than 13 weeks; the remaining 20 of these patients had been waiting 13 weeks or more.There were no patients waiting for admission to hospital for orthodontic treatment in Buckinghamshire at 31 December 2002.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average figure is for the number of decayed, missing or filled permanent teeth for children aged 12 in Buckinghamshire. [103772]

The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) carries out surveys to monitor the dental caries experience of 12-year-old children. The most recent survey of 12-year-olds was carried out in 2000–01. The results of this survey for Buckinghamshire are shown in the table.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average figure is for the number of decayed, missing or filled teeth for five-year-olds in Buckinghamshire; and what percentage of five-year-olds in Buckinghamshire have no dental decay. [103774]

The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) carries out surveys to monitor the dental caries experience of five-year-old children. The most recent survey of five-year-olds was carried out in 2001–02. The results for the Buckinghamshire area are shown in the table. Information is given for three of the four primary care trusts (PCTs) in the former Buckinghamshire Health Authority area and also for the Thames Valley Strategic Health Authority.