Health

Senedd Members quiz health secretary on dentistry shake-up

Published

7 months ago

September 25, 2025

OPPOSITION politicians have quizzed Wales’ health secretary after the Welsh Government unveiled the biggest change to NHS dental contracts in decades.

James Evans, the Conservatives’ shadow health secretary, warned of “big gaps” in clarity about funding, access, and accountability following the Welsh Government announcement.

After a public backlash, the Welsh Government backtracked on plans to allocate a dentist for each check-up and patients will now remain with their existing family practice.

Mr Evans welcomed the U-turn, which was prompted by a consultation that more than 6,400 people responded to, but called for safeguards to ensure people can see the same dentist. He raised concerns older people and those in rural Wales could “slip through the cracks”.

Under the reforms, NHS dentists in Wales will be paid a higher hourly rate of £150, up from the £135 initially proposed, to make working for the health service more attractive.

Conservative MS James Evans, shadow health secretary

Mr Evans urged ministers to publish full details of the fee structure, warning more dentists will walk away if they are not properly rewarded and patients will pay the price.

He said: “Dentists are already overstretched and burnt out… surveys show 42% of dentists were unwilling to work under the old NHS contract and 72% said they will not sign up to the new proposed reforms as they stand. And I think that should set alarm bells ringing.”

Jeremy Miles, Wales’ health secretary, stressed that continuity of care would be a feature of the new contract and complexity will be reflected in the different rates for work.

He said the 72% figure must refer to the initial plans rather than that day’s announcement.

Automatic six-month check-ups for NHS dental patients will be scrapped in Wales from April 2026 in a move designed to free up appointments for those most in need. Instead, patients with good oral health will be recalled by dentists every 18 to 24 months.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru’s shadow health secretary, agreed with the core principle of ensuring access to dentistry regardless of income, background or location.

Mr ap Gwynfor warned of a six-year delay in bringing forward meaningful reform, resulting in dozens of dentists handing back contracts and patients suffering.

“Few would argue with the need for change,” he said, describing the “unit of dental activity” system used to calculate dentists’ pay as unfit for purpose. “But the way in which this government has handled reform leaves much to be desired.

“Instead of a negotiated settlement, I’m concerned the terms have been one-sided with the British Dental Association effectively shut out of meaningful discussions for the best part of a year. That isn’t partnership – it undermines trust and damages morale further.”

Cautioning that the “devil will be in the detail”, Mr ap Gwynfor expressed concerns about 24-month check-ups potentially leading to problems being caught too late.

Mr Miles told his opposite number: “It’s a negotiated contract, it will never lead to a situation where every party gets exactly what they want.”

He stressed that scrapping six-month check-ups is based on clinical evidence, such as Nice guidelines, rather than the economics of the contract. He said clinical judgements will be in the hands of the professionals who will decide when a patient needs to be called back.

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds welcomed the “long-overdue” commitment to reforming dentistry and a focus on prevention but warned of dental deserts in rural Wales.

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

The Conservatives’ Peter Fox backed the reversal following teething problems but he questioned how the Welsh Government got the initial proposals “so blindingly wrong”.

He raised warnings from dentists that they will still have to provide NHS services at a loss, asking: “If dentists can’t recover their basic costs, how can we retain local practices?”

In his statement on September 23, Mr Miles said the current dental contract prioritises neither need nor prevention – paying dentists to stay on a “demoralising treadmill”.

Wales’ health secretary told the Senedd: “Change is not just necessary – it is urgent,” as he outlined contract reforms which he described as the most significant change in two decades.

Mr Miles, who last week announced he will stand down at May’s Senedd election, said the new contract will make NHS dentistry charges simpler and fairer.

Under the new system, patients will pay 50% of their treatment value with a maximum cap of £384 but about half of the Welsh population will remain exempt from NHS dental charges.

“These reforms are about people, not just contracts and systems,” said Mr Miles. “The new dental contract is about making sure every person in Wales – regardless of their background or their postcode – can get the care they need when they need it.”

Health

Turkish dental clinic to hold Haverfordwest meet-up

Published

2 days ago

April 29, 2026

Staff Writer

DENTISTS FROM ANTALYA TO VISIT COUNTY TOWN

A TURKISH dental clinic is running a dental meet-up in Haverfordwest this weekend as part of a promotional visit to Wales.

Unique Smile Turkey, which has a permanent office in Wales in Swansea, says its top dentists will be coming to Haverfordwest on Sunday (May 3).

The event is being advertised as a “Dental Meet-Up” and is scheduled to run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Mariners Hotel.

The visit features three clinicians: Assoc Prof Dr Ummuhan Tozoglu, described as a specialist in oral diagnosis, radiology and dental planning; Professor Dr Sinan Tozoglu, described as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and implantologist; and Professor Dr Ismet Duran, described as a periodontologist and implantologist.

The team have between twenty and 35 years of experience in their respective fields.

A contact number has also been provided for enquiries: +90 505 678 90 90.

The visit comes amid continuing interest in dental tourism, with many people in the UK looking overseas for cosmetic dentistry, implants and other private dental treatment.

Turkey has become one of the most popular destinations for such treatment, although patients are generally urged to make careful checks before committing to any procedure abroad, including aftercare arrangements, qualifications, insurance, treatment plans and what support would be available if complications arise after returning home.

Health

Welsh public backs urgent action on dementia ahead of Senedd elections

Published

4 days ago

April 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Calls grow for diagnosis, care and support to become national priority

NEW figures reveal overwhelming public demand for dementia to be placed at the top of Wales’ political agenda, with voters urging action on diagnosis, treatment and support ahead of the Senedd elections.

Research by Alzheimer’s Society Cymru shows that 83% of people in Wales want dementia made a healthcare priority, while 69% believe it is currently overlooked and underfunded.

More than a thousand adults were surveyed, with the findings highlighting growing concern over diagnosis rates and access to care. Wales continues to record some of the lowest dementia diagnosis rates in the UK, leaving thousands of families without clarity or support.

Around 51,000 people are currently living with dementia in Wales, a figure expected to rise to 70,000 by 2040. Despite this, only 57% of people have received a formal diagnosis, with rates falling as low as 48% in rural areas such as Powys.

Improving diagnosis remains a key concern, with 91% of those surveyed saying access to timely diagnosis must improve, and 87% backing increased investment in diagnostic services. However, respondents also stressed that diagnosis alone is not enough, with 91% saying people with dementia must receive better support, including help for unpaid carers.

Ceri Parry, from Cardiff, said she was forced to retire early from her role as a headteacher at the age of 55 due to a lack of support for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020.

She said: “I fully support improving early and accurate diagnosis, but this must also come with improved support and care for families afterwards. There’s five years between my relatives’ diagnoses and nothing changed. On both occasions we left with a leaflet and the unknown.

“The wait for improved diagnosis, treatment and support needs to end. Dementia must be a top priority for the next Welsh Government, for families living with it now and for those who will face it in the future.

“We also found there was no diagnosis assessment available in the Welsh language. That’s a fundamental issue if a diagnosis is to be accurate and safe for people who speak Welsh as their first language. Ignoring someone’s identity is ignoring the person.”

The survey also found that visible action would be key to restoring public confidence, with 72% calling for improved dementia services, 64% backing more funding for research, and 63% wanting better access to treatments.

Gemma Roberts, National Influencing Manager at Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, said: “Dementia is Wales’s biggest killer and one of the greatest health and social care challenges we face.

“Hope is on the horizon with new treatments and faster, more accurate diagnosis, but the system is not keeping pace. Without urgent transformation, people in Wales risk missing out.

“We are at a turning point. The next Welsh Government must deliver a bold new dementia strategy that transforms diagnosis and ensures access to quality care, treatments and support.”

Health

Dentists warn next Welsh Government must act to save NHS dentistry

Published

1 week ago

April 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DENTISTS have warned that NHS dentistry in Wales is at a “make or break” point, with access to treatment now ranking as one of the biggest local concerns for voters ahead of the Senedd election.

The British Dental Association said new polling by YouGov showed local dentistry services were now a top doorstep issue in Wales, with 30% of adults naming it as one of the most important issues in their local area.

That places dentistry ahead of crime and education, both on 14%, and above job opportunities, which were cited by 27% of respondents.

The poll also found that 79% of people in Wales believe the Welsh Government should be doing more to improve NHS dentistry, while only 11% think ministers are doing all they reasonably can.

According to the BDA, unmet need for NHS dentistry now stands at around a third of the adult population in Wales. One in five people said they had tried but failed to get an NHS dental appointment in the past two years, while a further 13% said they had not tried because they assumed they would be unable to secure one.

The professional body said the figures suggest Wales may now be the worst place in Britain to be an NHS dental patient.

The warning comes after controversial dental reforms were introduced in Wales on April 1. The BDA says the changes were forced through without proper testing and have already led some practices to return NHS contracts or reduce their NHS commitment.

It is calling for a “safety net” for struggling practices, including a pause on implementation until 2027 while further improvements are worked up.

The association is also calling for a break from what it describes as chronic underfunding, better protection for vulnerable patients, and a change of tone from the next Welsh Government.

Russell Gidney, Chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, said: “NHS dentistry in Wales was already in crisis, and without decisive action things are set to go from bad to worse.

“Untested reforms have already seen many dentists walk away from the NHS. Whoever forms the next government will need a plan to guarantee the future of this service.

“For voters facing access and cost of living crises dentistry matters. Political choices mean it is now a real concern on the doorstep – polling ahead of crime, education and even jobs as a top-flight issue facing Wales.

“Our message to all candidates and all parties is very clear: dentistry is on the ballot paper in this election. And the public will measure how you choose to respond.

“This is a service millions of voters depend on. Meaningful action will be rewarded. Complacency will be punished.”

The Welsh Government has defended its reforms, saying the new contract is designed to “make NHS dentistry more accessible, fairer and sustainable,” with a stronger focus on prevention and prioritising patients based on clinical need.

The YouGov survey of 1,092 Welsh adults was carried out between February 2 and February 9, 2026.