More than 27.6 million people saw an NHS dentist in the 24 months ending June 2009. This is almost three quarters of a million more than in the same period ending June 2008. The number of dentists working in the NHS, and the number of courses of NHS dental treatment provided are also growing steadily. We have invested a record £2 billion in dentistry and set up a national access programme to help the NHS deliver its goal of access for all who seek it by 2011. We therefore expect access to continue to increase.