MS highlights north Wales dental care "crisis" in Parliament

North Wales MS Mark Isherwood has highlighted the problems people in North Wales are experiencing in accessing an NHS dentist with the Health Minister.

And he called on her to take action to address the "dental crisis" facing the region.

Questioning the Minister in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Mr Isherwood said it is 16 years since the North Wales Regional Committee raised concerns about a forthcoming NHS dental crisis in Wales and asked why the problem has not been dealt with.

He said: “I have relatives in Flintshire who themselves have struggled to access an NHS dentist, who thankfully recently received treatment after weeks in great pain. 

"We know that, in January, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board insisted that action is needed to address dentistry in North Wales, after 83 dental posts were lost during the last year, and the British Dental Association warned that significant numbers of dentists were planning on leaving the NHS, saying that NHS dentistry is hanging by a thread because without NHS dentists, there would be no NHS dentistry.

“And earlier this month, Bupa Dental Care handed in notice of termination for their Flint branch. It's 16 years since the North Wales Regional Committee raised concerns about a forthcoming NHS dental crisis in Wales, and here we are, all these years later, in these circumstances. 

“So, what action will the Welsh Government now take to engage with the British Dental Association to address their concerns with the dentistry contracts, that these reduce focus on regular check-ups, force dentists to choose between old and new patients, and fund dentists by 15 per cent less than six years ago?”

Responding, the Health Minister said: “We are doing all we can”.

She told Mr Isherwood: “We're continuing to work with the British Dental Association to explore how the reform of the national dental contract can encourage dental practices to collaborate at a local level. 

“I'm sure you'll be pleased to hear, in relation to Bupa in Flint, that the health board plans to recommission replacement services in the area as early as possible.”