22/04/2025
Important Update About the Future of NHS Dental Care in Wales
The Welsh Government has announced proposed reforms to NHS Dental Services in Wales, set to begin in April 2026. As part of this process, there is a public consultation period which ends on 19th June, 2025. This provides a valuable opportunity for patients, dental professionals, and the wider community to share their views and help shape the future of NHS dental care.
While these proposed changes are intended to improve access and efficiency within the NHS dental system, there are aspects of the new contract that raise concerns among dental professionals. We believe it’s important for our patients to understand what is being discussed and how it could potentially impact your dental care.
What These Changes Could Mean for You
• No formal patient registration: Once your oral health is considered stable, you may be referred to a central Dental Access Portal until it’s time for your next check-up in 18–24 months.
• 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. 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. Dentists believe this could well signal the end of the hight street Family Dental Practice.
• Data sharing limitations: At this stage, there are no provisions for sharing notes or x-rays between practices, which may impact continuity and personalized care.
• 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.
• Fee changes: NHS treatment fees for paying patients may increase under the new model.
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.
• Limitations around data sharing and patient continuity may affect how practices deliver long-term care.
Your Voice Matters
This consultation is a critical opportunity for everyone—patients, dental teams, and community members—to contribute feedback and help 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 https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2025-04/consultation-reform-nhs-general-dental-services-wales_0.pdf
There is a questionnaire at the end of the document https://ymateb.gov.wales/s/MGR6QP/ that you can fill in online, or you can fill in the survey in the document and send by email to HSS-PrimaryCareMailbox@gov.wales
or download https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2025-04/consultation-response-reform-nhs-general-dental-services-wales.docx and post to Primary and Community Care Division – Dental Policy Branch, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
