8. Debate on the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Report: Dentistry in Wales

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:59 pm on 2 October 2019.

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Photo of David Lloyd David Lloyd Plaid Cymru 4:59, 2 October 2019

Diolch, Llywydd. Can I thank everybody for their contributions? In the short amount of time I have left, I'll briefly sum up. Obviously, this debate has provided a very welcome emphasis on dentistry and the concerns of dental colleagues, which is not something we do every day here in the Senedd. Can I thank all Members for their contributions—Angela Burns, Siân Gwenllian, Caroline Jones and the Minister?

There are significant challenges, obviously, as we found out in the evidence we took as a committee, because what was clear to the committee is that the current NHS contract arrangements for dentists simply aren't working. Paying someone the same amount to deliver a course of treatment on a patient regardless of the amount of work involved makes little sense.

It's simply not acceptable nowadays that only 14 per cent of dental practices in the old Abertawe Bro Morgannwg area are taking on new adult NHS patients. It's certainly not acceptable either that in the whole of the Hywel Dda health board area not one dental practice is taking on NHS patients. So, the Minister has started on a journey, but the Government needs to take far more action and take that action quickly. Doing nothing is simply not an option. Diolch yn fawr.