Dentists will be banned from giving general anaesthetics in their practices from 2002 following a review by chief medical officer Professor Liam Donaldson. Between 1996 and 1999, eight people died while receiving general anaesthetic in a dentist's surgery, of whom five were children. Any practices continuing to give general anaesthetics before 2002 will have to be registered and inspected. British Dental Association chair John Renshaw welcomed the move, but said he was disappointed no money had been found to develop alternatives to anaesthesia for patients afraid of the dentist or needing special treatment.