Senedd statement expected on Tuesday
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care will make a statement in the Senedd on Tuesday 23 September setting out the next steps in reforming the NHS dental contract in Wales.
The move follows what the First Minister has described as the largest consultation response in the history of devolution, with more than 6,200 individuals and organisations submitting views on the future of NHS dentistry.
Concerns over ‘family dentist’ model
The British Dental Association (BDA) Cymru has urged Ministers to reflect the weight of opinion from both the public and the profession.
One of the most controversial proposals would see so‑called “green” patients — those deemed dentally fit and at low risk of disease — removed from practice lists and placed on a centralised database. They would then be allocated to practices on a first‑come, first‑served basis when their next check‑up is due.
Dentists warn this could spell the end of the traditional ‘family dentist’ model, with parents and children potentially split between different providers and continuity of care lost.
BDA: ‘NHS dentistry has ceased to exist for thousands’
Russell Gidney, Chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, said:
“This consultation has generated among the largest response of any in the history of devolution. It’s easy to understand why. NHS dentistry has ceased to exist for thousands of families across Wales, and they want it to have a future.
“The Welsh Government must show they responded to the weight of opinion, from both the public and this profession. That they have been willing to listen on material risks to the future of NHS dentistry in Wales.”
Background to the reforms
The consultation on reforming NHS general dental services ran between March and June 2025, with proposals including:
- A single route of entry for patients to access NHS dental services
- A new remuneration system for practices
- Extended recall intervals for routine check‑ups
- Adjustments to patient charges
The Welsh Government has said the reforms are designed to improve access, focus on prevention, and make the system more sustainable. However, dentists and patient groups have raised concerns about the lack of detail and the potential impact on families and communities.
