Data collated by the British Dental Association (BDA) suggests the Welsh government’s approach to reform may result in dentists withdrawing from the scheme, scaling down, or even ending their NHS commitment.
Minister Eluned Morgan told the BBC in January 2023, "The system has changed. It's working. Of course, there may be frustrations from some dentists who may not like the new system, but it’s very, very much a minority."
A poll of 250 high street dentists in Wales found that 97 per cent disagreed. Over 70 per cent of practices in the reform programme report they are expecting financial penalties this year, for failure to hit a system of untested new targets that may jeopardise their future sustainability. As a result, only 39 per cent say they intend to stay in the reform program in 2023-24.
Over 30 per cent intend to reduce their NHS contract value for 2023-24. On current projections, around 13 per cent intend to hand back their NHS contracts at the end of this financial year – and this is on top of those already handed back.
The Welsh Government has rolled out new contracts, which include an obligation to focus on new patients. The BDA has stressed that this approach appears to be an attempt to give the appearance of more patient access without meaningful investment. It has warned that as many as a dozen existing appointments will need to be sacrificed to see a single new high-needs patient. In an open letter, the professional body warned that the targets attached to the contract could prove fatal for NHS provision at dozens of practices.
Russell Gidney, chair of the British Dental Association’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee 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.”