Will the Cabinet Secretary consider deploying mobile dental units in north Wales to ensure continued access to services, particularly in the communities most affected by recent practice closures?
Increasing access to NHS dentistry is a Ministerial priority and I expect health boards to use all parts of the dental service, including mobile dental units to do this.
Mobile dental units can provide capacity to expand community dental services in the case of limited fixed spaces, there are limitations on their effectiveness. This can be for a variety of reasons, including mechanical issues, infection, prevention and control requirements, travel and staffing issues.
Ultimately, the provision of dental services in North Wales is the responsibility of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The health board has re-invested £1.5m from returned NHS dental contracts and is working on procuring a further £5m of activity from contracts that have been handed back. This will improve access to NHS dentistry significantly across North Wales this financial year.