The unit has already commenced work on assessing existing capacity in NHSScotland and the limited spare capacity in the independent sector. It will monitor performance and capacity, and make recommendations on an ongoing basis.

The Executive set up Scottish Training on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (STRADA) last year to provide training for staff working in the alcohol and drugs fields. STRADA's programme will include training on identifying and addressing alcohol problems among specific groups, including women.

The Executive's Plan for Action on alcohol problems, which was published on 18 January 2002, sets out that alcohol problems services should be sensitive to the needs of particular groups, including women. The Executive will shortly be consulting on a framework for alcohol problems support and treatment services and this will include consultation with groups who have a specific interest in women with alcohol problems.

Alcohol Focus Scotland has produced an information leaflet for older people, which provides advice on sensible drinking levels and contacts for further information. The Executive will give further consideration to the prevention and education needs of women in light of the findings of the Health Education Board for Scotland's women and alcohol seminar in April. I also refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22209.

The number of dentists working in Scotland has increased constantly over the last 30 years and by 300 in the last eight years, and we are committed to increasing numbers further. The Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce (SACDW) advises on the most effective way to achieve this.The size of the graduate output is only one of the various factors which influence the supply of and access to practising dentists. The current target output of 120 is considered to be the level appropriate to expected demands, on the information currently available. Scottish Council for Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education with ISD Scotland are improving the information available by mapping the characteristics and supply dynamics of the dental workforce. Once this information is available, SACDW will consider the findings and will recommend on the most appropriate method to increase the number of dentists working in primary care in Scotland.

The networks recommended in the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland are not currently in place. Discussions are on-going with the profession and the service providers on the development of all aspects of the Action Plan.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18318 on 22 November 2001, which dealt with the same issue. That answer still applies.

Outline proposals for oral cancer screening were submitted to the Chief Scientist's Office (CSO) in October 2001. The applicants have been invited to proceed to full application which will be subject to CSO Committee review. The Subgroup on Oral Health of the Elderly, set up to support implementation of the Scottish Dental Action Plan, is looking at the issues relevant to improving the oral health of the elderly. The Chief Medical Officer's Expert Group on the Health of Older People has recently been considering ways of improving the oral health of older people, as a part of a wider health review.

A sub-group on Oral Health of the Elderly has been established to support the implementation of the Action Plan for Dental Services in Scotland. This group is currently carrying out a review of the issues relevant to improving the oral health of the elderly, which includes assessment of a range of options for improving care to this age group.

No pilot schemes have yet been established.