The National Health Service (Dental Charges) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Dental Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (“the principal Regulations”), which provide for the making and recovery of charges for dental appliances supplied or repaired under the National Health Service, and for other dental treatment provided as part of NHS general dental services. They also remove references to NHS trusts the last of which are to be dissolved on 1st April 2004 (regulation 2(2), (4), (5), (6) and (7)).

Regulation 2(3) increases from £372 to £378 the maximum contribution which a patient may be required to make towards the aggregate costs of dental appliances and other services provided in pursuance of one contract or arrangement.

Regulation 2(5) replaces two references to NHS trusts in regulation 5 of the principal Regulations, giving the Common Services Agency powers in relation to the obtaining of evidence of entitlement to exemption from NHS charges.

Regulation 2(8) makes two technical amendments to Schedule 3 of the principal Regulations.

Regulation 3 is a transitional provision which ensures that the increased maximum contribution under regulation 2(3) of these Regulations applies only where the contract or arrangement leading to the supply of such appliances and the provision of such treatment is made on or after 1st April 2004. Where the contract or arrangement was made before that date but the supply was made on or after that date then the previous rate applies.