6. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Dental Reform

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:19 pm on 14 March 2023.

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Photo of Cefin Campbell Cefin Campbell Plaid Cymru 5:19, 14 March 2023

(Translated)

In response to an FOI that I submitted a few weeks ago, I was told that 11,000 people are waiting on a waiting list to register with an NHS dentist in the region that the two of us represent. Last year, the BBC conducted a survey across the UK, including our region, which showed that no NHS dentist had capacity to take on additional patients. So, whatever this statement might say about contracts, there is a great deal of discontent that exists. My dentist in Llandeilo—and I've been with an NHS dentist for several years—told me about three weeks ago that he is giving back his contract and he's going private. I looked to see whether there was any way that I could go to another NHS dentist. In Carmarthenshire there are over 3,500 on the waiting list. There's no hope for me. So, does the Minister agree with me, for families on a low income, is going private an 'acceptable alternative'?