The figures in the table show the National Health Service spend on incontinence appliances for the last three years. The figures exclude those appliances bought on prescription. A new Commitment Payment Scheme was introduced from April 2000 to reward dentists in the General Dental Services for their past and present commitment. We are discussing with the profession additional financial support for dentists to undertake clinical governance, which will include clinical audit and peer review, and to support continuing professional development. Information about the number of dentists working in the National Health Service who have come from outside the United Kingdom is available only for dentists in the General Dental Services in England and is given in the table.
Dentists are principals on a health authority list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
Data exclude dentists whose title of registration is shown as Statutory Exams and those dentists awaiting entry.