Pembrokeshire Senedd Members Paul Davies and Samuel Kurtz have welcomed the Welsh Government’s decision to abandon proposals that would have seen patients assigned a different dentist for each check-up, rather than remaining with their family dental practice.
Following a public consultation on its dental reform plans which attracted over 6,000 responses, the Senedd Members have reiterated their calls for the Welsh Government to listen to the views of the profession and patients across Wales.
The consultation showed that 77.2% of respondents disagreed that the Welsh Government’s changes would help ensure fair access to NHS dental care.
Mr Davies said, “I’m pleased that the Welsh Government has rowed back on its plans to allocate patients to any practice, as continuity of care is crucial and needs to be protected. However, the industry has made it clear that Welsh Government must go further and address its other concerns too.”
“The system is at breaking point – we know that in Pembrokeshire, many patients can’t access services and dentists are frustrated, overwhelmed and at risk of burn out.”
“The current proposals would also result in gaps of up to two years between check-ups for some patients, which is not acceptable. The Welsh Government must take this opportunity to reflect and rethink its proposals and then find a way forward that works for patients and the profession.”
Mr Kurtz said, “This is a victory for common sense and for everyone who spoke up during the consultation. Patients deserve reliable, continuous care, not years between check-ups or a system that leaves them waiting in frustration.
“While it’s right that the Welsh Government has stepped back from automatic patient allocation, the service remains under severe pressure, with many unable to access treatment and dentists close to burnout.
“Ministers must now go further, rethink their proposals, and work constructively with the profession to tackle the wider crisis in NHS dentistry.”
