'Exodus' warning over NHS dentistry proposals

NHS patients will be seen by any dentist available, rather than their regular practice, and check-ups will be moved to every two years in a planned move the profession warns will cause an "exodus" of staff in Wales.

- ABBIE WIGHTWICK

More than six in 10 dentists said they would go fully private rather than take on the Welsh Government's planned shake-up.

The changes being proposed are “a leap in the dark that could destroy NHS dentistry in Wales”, the British Dental Association (BDA) warned.

As a consultation on radical changes to NHS dentistry draws to a close, the BDA urged the Welsh Government to heed the warnings of the profession “to avoid a wholesale exodus from the workforce”.

The Welsh Government has said its proposals will improve patients’ access to dental service but the BDA said they would mean more will be forced to go private.

Under the shake-up, adults would no longer have a regular NHS dentist but would be seen by whichever one is available on a first come, first served basis. They would stay with that dentist until the course of treatment ends and then be returned to the central list.

Under-18s would keep the same surgery they are first allocated, but dentists warn this could cause problems for families having appointments at multiple surgeries.

Prices for NHS check-ups will rise from £20 to £24.75 under the plans.