Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:46 pm on 22 March 2022.
Thank you for that answer, First Minister. You identified that there are challenges within the dental service across Wales, but there are in fact 83 fewer dentists working across Welsh health boards than there were in 2020. This is probably not helped by the Government's new NHS dental contract, which professionals—not myself—say reduces focus on regular check-ups, makes dentists choose between old and new patients, pays dentists based on out-of-date performance data and is funded by a falling amount, 15 per cent less than six years ago. That's according to the British Dental Association. In a letter from the chairman of the Dyfed Powys local dental committee sent to the health Minister, the committee has confirmed—again, it's not me saying this—that all practices in their area are unable to sign the proposed contract, which would result in a cut in capacity of 75 per cent on agreed existing levels. The chairman said—and again, this is the chairman saying it, not myself—that every member is unprepared to compromise on quality of care of their patients. That, as a group, is extremely concerning—that NHS dental services in west Wales are at risk of collapse as soon as next month. That's not me putting that there, that's the chair of the dental profession in the Dyfed Powys health board area. If you accept that there are challenges on this particular issue, why are you introducing a contract that would make the situation worse and potentially create dental deserts in certain parts of Wales?