Minister quizzed as some big changes to dental care are dropped

OPPOSITION politicians have quizzed Wales' health secretary after the Welsh Government unveiled the biggest change to NHS dental contracts in decades.

- By CHRIS HAINES

James Evans, Conservatives' shadow health secretary, warned of "big gaps" in clarity about funding, access, and accountability following the Welsh Government announcement.

After a public backlash, the Welsh Government backtracked on plans to allocate a dentist for each checkup and patients will now remain with their existing family practice.

Mr Evans welcomed the U-turn, which was prompted by a consultation that more than 6,400 people responded to, but called for safeguards to ensure people can see the same dentist. He raised concerns older people and those in rural Wales could "slip through the cracks".

Under the reforms, NHS dentists in Wales will be paid a higher hourly rate of £150, up from the £135 initially proposed, to make working for the health service more attractive.

Mr Evans urged ministers to publish full details of the fee structure, warning more dentists will walk away if they are not properly rewarded and patients will pay the price.

He said: "Dentists are already overstretched and burnt out... surveys show 42% of dentists were unwilling to work under the old NHS contract and 72% said they will not sign up to the new proposed reforms as they stand. And I think that should set alarm bells ringing."