Explanatory note

These Regulations further amend the National Health Service (General Dental Services) Regulations 1992 (S.I. 1992/661) (“the 1992 Regulations”) which regulate the terms on which general dental services are provided under the National Health Service Act 1977. The Regulations, other than regulation 4 which extends to England and Wales, extend to England only.

Regulation 3 amends regulation 19 of the 1992 Regulations so that Determination V of the Statement of Dental Remuneration relates to the subject matter “commitment payments”, Regulation 4 amends regulation 20 so that dentists' remuneration under that Determination is to be paid by the Dental Practice Board rather than Health Authorities.

Regulation 5 amends Schedule 1 to the 1992 Regulations, which contains dentists' terms of service, with regard to forms and records. Regulation 5(2) amends the circumstances in which records must be produced for inspection. Regulation 5(3) inserts a new requirement for a dentist to ask to see evidence in support of a patient’s claim that he is entitled to exemption from, or remission of, dental charges and to record in his claim for remuneration when he does not see such evidence. He is also to be required to complete a form and obtain a signature from the patient when he makes a claim for remuneration following his recall to his practice for an emergency outside usual practice hours. Regulation 5(4) inserts a requirement for separate claim forms to be completed for treatment given by assistants.