Summary

This exploratory bulletin provides an overview of NHS prescriptions written by dentists and dispensed in the community. It is based on data supplied by the Prescription Services division of the NHS Business Services Authority.

The bulletin looks at National level data for 2007 in terms of prescription items and Net Ingredient Cost (NIC).

Key facts

• in 2007 there were 4.6 million prescription items on NHS prescriptions prescribed by dentists at a net ingredient cost of £10.7 million dispensed in the community
• this represents a 1.9 per cent rise in prescription items and a 5.7 per cent rise in NIC when compared with 2006 figures
• in 2007 prescribing of Controlled Drugs (Schedules 1-5) by dentists represented 0.1 per cent of all Controlled Drug items prescribed and 0.02per cent of the total Controlled Drugs NIC.