(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations give both the Dental Practice Board, for England and Wales, and the Scottish Dental Practice Board various functions in relation to pilot schemes for personal dental services.
The Dental Practice Boards (“the Boards”) are given three functions which are to be carried out in accordance with Directions given by the Secretary of State under section 17(4) of the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997. First, the Boards are given the function of collecting and collating information, producing statistics and reports and commissioning and carrying out surveys or research relating to the provision of personal dental services. Secondly, they are given the function of examining patients and carrying out further probity checks in any other way directed by the Secretary of State. Thirdly, where so requested, they are given the function of (in England and Wales) making payments or (in Scotland) approving payments to providers of personal dental services on behalf of a Health Authority in England and Wales or a Scottish Health Board (“an authority”).
The Boards are also given the functions, where so requested by an authority, of operating a prior approval system and of recovering overpayments on behalf of such an authority. The Dental Practice Board is also given the function in England and Wales, where so requested by a Health Authority, of collecting superannuation payments on behalf of the Health Authority.
The Boards are also given the power to request dental practitioners performing personal dental services to submit information about the treatment that has been given to patients.
Copies of the Directions to the Dental Practice Board which are referred to in regulation 2 may be obtained from:
Primary Care Division—Dental and Optical Services
Room 318
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NS
Copies of the Directions to the Scottish Dental Practice Board which are referred to in regulation 2 may be obtained from:
Directorate of Primary Care
Room 57B
St Andrews House
Edinburgh EH1 3DG
These Regulations impose no costs on business.