Patients could face two-year gaps in visits to the dentist

THE Welsh Government has backed down on plans to put NHS dentistry patients on a centralised list, meaning patients would have been allocated to any available dentist rather than their own, specified surgery.

- RUTH MOSALSKI

Opponents said that part of the Welsh Government proposal to create a central list would have "undermined continuity of care" and ended the era of the "family dentist". Families could have been split between different providers, experts had warned.

The Welsh Government says this, the first major reform in 20 years, will improve access to dentists.

The new arrangements will come into force from April 2026, and mean people see a dentist based on their oral health needs, not according to the calendar.

So instead, for example, of six-monthly appointments, those who need active treatment or support will be seen more regularly.

Patients with healthy teeth could be recalled by dentists every 18 to 24 months. However, people will remain on a list at their specified dentist, and the central waiting list idea has been ditched.

There will also be changes to payments. Under the new system, those who pay for NHS treatment will pay 50% of their treatment package value, capped at a maximum of £384 regardless of how much care they need. This is a reduction from the 55% originally proposed. It ensures NHS dental care remains affordable and protects patients from unexpected costs.