Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to ensure that NHS dental services meet the standards set out in the NHS Constitution for England.

The requirements of dental contract holders are laid out in the General Dental Services and Personal Dental Services regulations and their contract. This includes compliance with all relevant legislation and relevant guidance issued by NHS England and the Secretary of State for Social Care, such as the NHS Constitution.

Care Quality Commission are the independent regulator of health and social care in England, which includes dental practices. The General Dental Council set the professional standards for clinical staff.

The Government has taken steps to address the challenges facing National Health Service dentistry, and the package of reforms announced last July is an important first step. We know we need to do more and will announce further changes soon.