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Dental Services: Children

Volume 459: debated on Friday 20 April 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children received orthodontic treatment in each year between 2002 and 2006; and how many have received such treatment in 2006-07. (129017)

Information is provided for the years ending March 2002 to March 2006. Information for the year ending March 2007 is not yet available.

Number of children receiving national health service general dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS) orthodontic treatment, England only, April 2001 to March 2006Year ending MarchNumber of children treated2002524,2052003523,4222004552,3322005573,1092006591,064 Notes: 1. Data are for claims scheduled for the financial years ending March 2002 to March 2006 in both GDS and PDS. 2. The number of children treated is based on the claims containing at least one orthodontic treatment which were processed at the DPD during the year stated. 3. The claims for orthodontic treatment may have been for a transitional payment, complete treatment or incomplete treatment. 4. Orthodontic treatment is as defined under items 32, 55e and 55f of the statement of dental remuneration. 5. Children are defined as patients under 18 on the date of acceptance for treatment. 6. Patients have been identified by using surname, first initial, gender and date of birth. 7. England data are for both GDS and PDS. 8. Because of the transition arrangements from GDS to PDS, patients may have been double counted. For orthodontic cases, which have long durations, this could be a serious distortion. Source: NHS Business Services Authority Dental Practice Division.