What steps has the Welsh Government taken to ease the pressures faced by dental practices throughout north Wales, following the announcement of two clinic closures scheduled for early 2021?
Welsh Government are working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board on the establishment of a new Dental Teaching Unit in Bangor which will incorporate a hub and spoke model to service Caernarfon and Colwyn Bay. This is an opportunity to significantly increase access to primary care dentistry in north Wales and provide services which are aligned to Welsh Government dental reform principles.
As part of our dental reform programme we are working with practices to improve access, experience and quality of dental care. Significant changes are being made which have been welcomed by dental teams with currently 40% of all practices part of the reform programme.
In terms of these two practice closures, it is important to note that funding for services which are lost remains with the Health Board. I expect the Health Board to work to replace the lost provision as a matter of urgency and to have interim measures in place to maintain the continuity of care for those patients who may lose access following the practice closures.