Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the findings of the review of research on Orthodontic treatment for crowded teeth in children by Sarah Turner and others, published in December 2021; and how much his Department has spent on NHS orthodontic treatments to (a) prevent and (b) correct crowded teeth in children in the last year.

Emerging clinical findings are reviewed by the Chief Dental Officer for England supported by specialty consultant and National Health Service clinical advisors. Where evidence indicates that amendments to NHS clinical standards are required, advice is provided by the Chief Dental Officer with guidance to NHS England on implementation and compliance with any changes in clinical procedure. In 2021/22, NHS England spent approximately £250 million on NHS orthodontic activity, including assessments and treatments.