To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS dentists there are in Bolton; and how many of these are taking on new patients. (154051)

As of 31 March 2007 there were 110 dentists on open national health service contracts in the Bolton primary care trust area. The number of dentists taking on new NHS patients is not collected centrally.

Source:

NHS Dental Statistics 2006-07, The Information Centre for health and social care, August 2007.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the availability of NHS dentists in Bolton. (154052)

There have been six parliamentary questions from my hon. Friend the Members for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Crausby) and for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on dental services in Bolton. In addition, there have been a small number of letters from members of the public.