To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support is available to dental practices that seek the services of foreign-qualified dentists and need to support them through their pre-registration training prior to acceptance by the General Dental Council allowing them to practice; how many dental practices have (a) sought and (b) received such support in each of the last three years, and what sums were (i) sought and (ii) received.

There are no schemes directly designed to facilitate foreign-qualified dentists entering dental practice in Scotland.

Vocational training is available to both Scottish and EC graduates on a competitive basis for which appropriate funding and support is given to the dentist and their trainee.