H—3l

Excluding a number of persons who applied for enrolment but who for various reasons were not eligible, the numbers who were actually enrolled between the Ist February, 1947, when the service was inaugurated, and the 31st March, 1948, were — For general dental benefits .. .. .. .. 47,354 For special dental benefits .. .. .. .. 16,987 Total .. .. .. .. .. 64,341 Of these, the following ceased to be enrolled prior to the 31st March, 1948 : General benefits : Patients who attained age sixteen prior to 31st March, 1948 .. .. .. .. .. 4,123 Special benefits : Patients whose treatment was completed prior to 31st March, 1948 .. .. .. .. 8,084 Total .. .. .. .. .. 12,207 Thus, at the 31st March, 1948, the numbers actually on the roll were — For general dental benefits .. .. .. .. 43,231 For special dental benefits .. .. .. .. 8,903 Total .. .. .. .. .. 52,134 Amounts paid for dental benefits up to 31st March, 1948, were — £ s. d. For general dental benefits .. .. .. 85,413 4 11 For special dental benefits .. .. .. 19,746 64 Total .. .. .. .. £105,159 11 3 Number of patients in respect of whose treatment the above amount was paid was — For general dental benefits .. .. .. .. 22,717 For special dental benefits .. .. .. .. 7,831 Total .. .. .. .. .. 30,548 Average cost per person : £ s. d. For general dental benefits .. ... ..3152 For special dental benefits .. .. .. 2 10 5 General average .. .. .. ..£329 Of 675 private dental practitioners holding annual practising certificates as at the 31st March, 1948, 483 were participating in the dental-benefits system as contracting dentists. As the latter figure does not include dentists who were employed by contracting dentists, it does not represent the total number of dentists engaged in providing dental benefits.

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