Catalogue description Ministry of Health: Dental Service, Representative Complaints and Appeals

MH 105/1-158 are arranged in chronological order and in file number order within each year. From MH 105/159, documents are arranged in original file number order.

At the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948, dentists who contracted to join the scheme were bound by their terms of service. Complaints by patients or the representatives of the Dental Estimates Board were considered by the Dental Service Committee of each area's Executive Council (now Family Practitioners' Committee) to establish whether or not the dentist was in breach of his contract. Either party could appeal against the decision: the Minister of Health then decided whether an oral hearing should be held, and if so, one was arranged in accordance with the National Health Service (Service Committee Tribunal) Regulations 1948. Three officers (a barrister and two dental surgeons) were appointed to hear the appeal and to report to the Minister, who would make a final decision.