(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend–
(a)the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 1996 (“the 1996 Regulations”), which provide for the arrangements under which dentists provide general dental services as part of the National Health Service in Scotland; and
(b)the National Health Service (Dental Charges) (Scotland) Regulations 1989 (“the 1989 Regulations”), which provide for the making and recovery of charges for dental appliances supplied or repaired under the National Health Service in Scotland, and for other dental treatment provided as part of NHS general dental services.
Both sets of Regulations are amended to replace references to a Health Board, where they relate to payment functions, by references to the Common Services Agency to which payment functions will transfer on 1st April 1999. They also amend the 1996 Regulations to make provision for salaried dentists to be employed by NHS trusts.
Regulation 16 amends the 1989 Regulations to increase from £340 to £348 the maximum contribution which a patient may be required to make towards the aggregate cost of dental treatment and appliances, where the contract or arrangement leading to the provision of such treatment or appliances is made on or after 1st April 1999.