Commentary on Sections Primary dental services Section 171: Dental public health
355.Section 171 inserts a new section 16CB into the 1977 Act. Section 16CB gives power to confer on PCTs, LHBs and the Assembly dental public health functions. Under section 171(2), the existing duty on the Secretary of State under section 5(1A) of the 1977 Act to provide dental treatment and dental education in schools is repealed. PCTs and LHBs may involve other agencies in discharging dental public health functions, such as independent contractors or dental practices. For example, a PCT or LHB might wish to involve a dental practice in providing an oral health promotion or smoking cessation programme.