Explanatory note

This Order amends section 40 of the Dentists Act 1984 (“the 1984 Act”), which defines the “business of dentistry”. The 1984 Act prohibits the carrying on of the business of dentistry except by specified persons, but provides for certain exemptions. This Order adds a further exemption in respect of providers of personal dental services under the National Health Service (Primary Care) Act 1997 (“the 1997 Act”). Certain potential providers of personal dental services under that Act are already permitted by the 1984 Act to carry on the business of dentistry, or benefit from an exemption; but the list of potential providers of personal dental services in the 1997 Act goes wider than the 1984 Act currently permits. This Order extends the exemptions in the 1984 Act so that it covers the complete list of potential providers of personal dental services under the 1997 Act.

The amendment made by this Order applies to the provision of personal dental services both in England and Wales and in Scotland.