To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) children aged five and under, (b) children aged 18 and under and (c) persons aged 18 years and over, in each primary care trust area, had one or more teeth removed under general anaesthetic in each of the last five years. (261486)

The exact information is not held centrally. Hospital Episode Statistics show the dental procedure carried out, but not whether a general anaesthetic was administered. However, dental treatment under general anaesthesia may only take place in a hospital setting that has a critical-care facility. It is therefore very likely, though not absolutely certain that a child admitted to hospital for extraction of teeth will have had general anaesthetic, and that was the reason for their admission to hospital. A table which contains the number of hospital episodes involving the extraction of teeth by age group and primary care trust has been placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he expects the conclusions of his Department’s independent review of NHS dentistry to be published. (262290)

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 24 February 2009, Official Report, column 661W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the number of NHS dentists who routinely refer patients to an hygienist at additional cost following a dental check-up; and if he will make a statement; (262487)

This information is not held centrally. National health service dental contracts require dentists to provide all proper clinically necessary dental care and treatment that the patient is willing to undergo. Which dental professional delivers the treatment is a clinical matter for the practice. A Band 1 course of treatment (diagnosis, treatment planning and maintenance) includes examination, diagnosis (for example x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, and scaling and polishing if clinically needed. Fee paying NHS patients will be charged £16.20 for a Band 1 course of treatment. Those exempt from NHS charges receive treatment without charge.

Patients who are assessed as not clinically needing a scale and polish are free to obtain it privately. As with any treatment if there is no clinical need for the patient to receive a scale and polish it is entirely appropriate that it is provided, if at all, outside the NHS.