23/04/2025
❗️This is an Important announcement for all our NHS patients about the future of NHS Dental Care in Wales. We are inviting, encouraging and supporting our patients and others to put forward their say in the WELSH GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC CONSULTATION. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to have their say as this is everyone’s NHS.
Please carefully read this post and we kindly encourage you to share with others. 👇🏻
· We are an independently owned family business like many other practices here in Wales.
· As a practice we are not owned by the NHS or employed by the NHS, we provide NHS Dental Services on a contractual basis. We purchase all our own equipment, materials, employ our own staff, pay our own mortgage in an increasingly expensive market.
· The Welsh Government are to introduce a new NHS dental contract in Wales from April 2026 - details of which are below:
The Welsh Government has announced proposed reforms to NHS Dental Services in Wales which are set to begin April 2026. As part of this process, there is a public consultation period which ends on 19th June, 2025. This allows patients, dental professionals and also the wider community to be able to share their views and thoughts of the proposal which may help to change and shape the future of NHS dental care.
The proposed changes are intended to improve access and efficiency within the NHS dental system. However, there are intended changes of the new contract that raise major concerns - we think it is very important for all our patients to be aware of these intended changes and how it may impact your dental care in the future.
What These Changes Could Mean for You
• No formal patient registration: Once your oral health is considered stable, you will be referred to a central NHS waiting list known as the Dental Access Portal until it is time for your next check-up in 18–24 months. (NO 6 MONTH CHECK UPS). When you reach the top of the waiting list, you may be assigned to a different dental practice which could be anywhere in the Cardiff and Vale area.
• Limited availability at recall: Due to capacity constraints, routine preventative appointments might be extended beyond the current recommended timeframes.
• Rotating care model: You may be assigned to different dental practices for your next course of treatment. This could be anywhere in the Cardiff and Vale area and NOT THE ONE YOU HAVE BEEN ATTENDING FOR YEARS.
While this model is aimed at increasing access, it could affect continuity of care and the opportunity to build long-term trust with a single dentist/practice.
• Data sharing limitations: There will be no provisions for notes or x-rays to be shared between practices, which may impact continuity and personalised care. This ultimately means you will be starting from scratch every time as the new practice will not know any of your dental history.
• No additional funding announced: Without increased investment from Welsh Government, expanding access to new patients could lead to reduced availability for those currently receiving care. Which may lead to our loyal and existing patients losing out.
• Fee changes: NHS treatment fees for paying patients may increase under the new model. This means it could end up costing more for patients who pay for their NHS care.
What These Changes Could Mean For Dental Practices
• The proposed contract introduces new expectations, including achieving 40% activity in the first six months, which may be challenging for some practices.
• The funding structure has not been updated to reflect rising service costs, which could influence whether practices remain within the NHS or transition to private care. Some practices may find it challenging to continue providing NHS care and may decide to stop providing NHS services in their practice.
• Limitations around data sharing and patient continuity may affect how practices deliver long-term care.
Your Voice Matters
This consultation is an important, critical opportunity for everyone including patients, dental practices, and community members to contribute their feedback and help to shape a new NHS Dental Service that works for all.
We strongly encourage you to get involved and make your voice heard by participating in the consultation process.
Have your say by responding to the consultation.
You can access the consultation document using this link. There is a questionnaire at the end of the document that you can fill in online, or you can fill in the survey in the document and send by email to [email protected] or download and post to Primary and Community Care Division – Dental Policy Branch, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
We would really appreciate all our patients and the community of Penarth and surrounding areas to share this post to help save the future of NHS dental care here in Wales.
Without independent practices like ours willing to work in an under funded, failing and frustrating system like this, there is surely no future for NHS dentistry.
https://www.gov.wales/reform-nhs-general-dental-services?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5Xajm-8--5CVsTKFk9g1MY1jRIOLsovLdamjSDAkLYHwi_3jAaS30xcqhmjA_aem_kS4OmaY3WNsys7R8vfPcEg
We are seeking your views on proposals to reform the NHS dental services (GDS) contract in Wales.
