51.A new subsection (2) is substituted in section 25 of the 1978 Act for the existing subsection (2). The new subsection (2) provides a regulation-making power as to arrangements for the provision of general dental services (GDS).
52.The regulations as to arrangements shall provide for the listing of those who are approved to assist in the provision of GDS in the area of the Health Board for the first time. The subsection sets out those persons who will be listed on each part of a list to be prepared, maintained and published by each Health Board. Under paragraph (a), those persons who have undertaken to provide GDS will be named on the first part of the list. The second part will include those persons who are approved by the Health Board to assist in the provision of GDS and this is provided for in paragraph (b).
53.A new subsection (2A) is substituted for existing subsection (2A) of section 25. Paragraphs (a) to (j) of subsection (2A) set out issues that may be included in the regulations as to the preparation, maintenance and publication of the list.
54.Paragraph (a) provides that the first or second part of the list or both parts may be divided into further sub-parts to enable different categories of persons undertaking to provide or assisting with the provision of GDS to be distinguished as necessary – for example, those who provide domiciliary visits to nursing homes and similar establishments.
55.Paragraphs (b) to (j) provide that the regulation making powers may include provision as to: eligibility and applications for inclusion in a list; the grounds on which an application must be granted or refused, or a removal made and the consequences of removal; requirements with which a person included in a list must comply; circumstances in which a listed person may not withdraw from that list; the grounds under which a Health Board may suspend a person from its list; provision as to payments while subject to suspension by a Health Board; and disclosure of information about applications, refusal of applications, or suspensions, removal or references to the Tribunal.
56.A new subsection (2B) is substituted for existing subsection (2B) of section 25. Under this, regulations may specify that a person who acts as practitioner in a Health Board area may not provide GDS unless named on the first part of the Board’s list and a person who acts only as an assistant practitioner in a Health Board area may not assist with GDS provision unless named on the second part of the Board’s list.