[F171A Calculation of charges for dental appliances and treatment.S

(1)Subject to the following provisions of this section, regulations may make such provision as to the amount of any charge—

(a)authorised by section 70(1A) for the supply of dentures or other dental appliances; or

(b)authorised by section 71 for the provision of services,

as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations may provide that any such charge in respect of appliances or services supplied or provided under Part II of this Act—

(a)shall be of an amount equal—

(i)to the practitioner’s remuneration in respect of the supply or provision; or

(ii)to any part of that remuneration; or

(b)shall be otherwise calculated by reference to that remuneration.

(3)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations may provide that any charge which is so authorised in respect of appliances supplied otherwise than under Part II of this Act—

(a)shall be of an amount equal—

(i)to the remuneration a practitioner would receive for a supply under that Part of equivalent appliances; or

(ii)to any part of such remuneration; or

(b)shall be otherwise calculated by reference to such remuneration.

(4)The charge shall not exceed the amount which the Secretary of State considers to be the cost to the health service of the supply or provision.

(5)In this section “cost to the health service” does not include—

(a)any fee in respect of a visit by a practitioner to a patient; or

(b)any fee or part of a fee payable by a patient in pursuance of regulations under section 71(2) or section 73(b) or 74(b).]