What is the Welsh Government doing to improve access to NHS dentists?
Access in dentistry is not where we would like it to be. Historic access issues have been further compounded with complications caused by the pandemic. We are working on system reform in dentistry to make improvements for patients and the profession; however, significant and substantive changes will take time and require financial investment which is difficult in the current financial climate.
We are embedding the principals of prudent healthcare by moving away from the much-criticised Units of Dental Activity (UDA) model and reorientating dentistry towards prevention and providing care on a risk and needs basis. By doing so, I believe we can increase both quality of care and access for patients.
We must continue to build on lessons learned on contract reform thus far. We are currently engaged in tripartite negotiations the British Dental Association and the NHS to develop a new general dental services (GDS) contract. Concluding this process will be key to creating a service that prioritises provision of care to patients who need it, as well as making NHS dentistry attractive to dentists. We all want to see the creation of an effective and sustainable GDS model that cares effectively for the public and fairly remunerates the profession who deliver it. I have no doubt that through constructive cooperation, negotiations will provide all contributing parties the platform to work through this challenging agenda effectively and to identify solutions that will enact the significant changes required.