MAJOR INVESTIGATION INTO PRIVATE DENTISTRY
(23 January 2002)
 The
Office of Fair Trading is to launch a comprehensive investigation
into private dentistry. This follows initial concerns expressed
by the Consumers' Association last Autumn in the first ever "super-complaint",
lodged by the group in October 2001.
A preliminary
study by the OFT has highlighted some key questions about the private
dentistry market. These concern the transparency of prices, the
level of competition and the way complaints are handled and redress
offered. There are also questions about access to dental services
and about how much guidance patients are given before treatment
is undertaken.
The
OFT will use its powers under section 2 of the Fair Trading Act
1973 to carry out a wide-ranging investigation into this market.
The OFT will examine how the provision of NHS and private dental
services together operate, the incentives for dentists to treat
patients under the NHS or privately, and the constraints and incentives
to provide new services. It will also study the expectations and
rights of consumers, and the availability and quality of information
for consumers to enable them to make informed choices.
The
investigation will be completed by the end of the year, including
a period of consultation with key interested parties. John Vickers,
Director General of Fair Trading said: 'We have scrutinised the
areas of concern about dentistry raised by the Consumers' Association.
Our preliminary study has given grounds to suspect that the market
is not working well for dental patients. The next step is to investigate
thoroughly what is going on. If action needs to be taken, we will
drive it forward.'
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