The majority of dentists say the Welsh government’s approach to the reform of NHS dentistry is failing, according to new research.
Significant numbers also indicate that they plan to withdraw from the scheme, scale down or even end their NHS commitment.
New findings show:
- More than 70% of practices in the reform programme report they are expecting financial penalties this year due to their failure to meet new targets
- Only 39% say they intend to stay in the reform program in 2023-24
- More than 30% intend to reduce their NHS contract value for 2023-24
- On current projections, around 13% intend to hand back their NHS contracts at the end of this financial year.
This comes as the Welsh government aims to introduce 112,000 appointments for new patients.
In an open letter sent to the Welsh chief dental officer, Professor Andrew Dickenson, last month, the BDA warned that contract targets attached to the contract could prove fatal for NHS provision at many practices.
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Toxic mix
Russell Gidney is chair of the British Dental Association’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee. He said: ‘My colleagues have fundamental concerns about the survival of NHS Dentistry in Wales.
‘A new system isn’t working, and it’s easy to see why, given the toxic mix of underinvestment, untested targets, and the risk of crippling financial penalties.
‘This isn’t the view of a tiny minority, but the overwhelming majority of dentists across Wales.
‘Failure to heed their warnings risks leaving more communities without access to care.’
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