Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Primary Care and Public Health on 11 July 2023, Official Report, column 172, when he plans to publish the dental plan; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the dental health needs of local populations are met by integrated care boards.

We expect to publish our Dental Recovery Plan shortly.

From 1 April, responsibility for commissioning primary care dentistry to meet the needs of the local population has been delegated to integrated care boards (ICBs) across England. ICBs are responsible for undertaking oral health needs assessments, identifying areas of need and determining the priorities for investment. Prior to delegation decisions being taken, NHS England undertook a comprehensive assessment process, ensuring ICBs were ready to take on commissioning responsibility for delegated functions.

NHS England has published an Assurance Framework which sets out its approach to providing assurance that commissioning functions are carried out safely and effectively by ICBs, and is providing active support to all ICBs during the transition period.