Welsh Government drops plan for patients to be seen by different dentists under NHS reforms

The Welsh Government has abandoned controversial plans that would have forced NHS patients to be treated by different dentists under sweeping contract reforms.

Health Secretary Jeremy Miles confirmed the change after public and professional feedback, saying continuity of care will be protected when the new system is introduced in April 2026.

The reforms move away from the units-of-dental-activity (UDA) model, with the government promising a focus on patient need, prevention and fairer access. General fee rates for dentists will rise from a proposed £135 to £150 per hour, while patient charges will be capped so no one pays more than £384. The government says around half of people in Wales are already exempt.

Mr Miles said: “Good oral health is vital to our quality of life. These reforms demonstrate our commitment to making NHS dentistry more accessible, fairer and sustainable for both patients and professionals. We have listened to people and it is clear the trust and reassurance that comes with seeing the same dental professional is valued. We are making sure this is maintained.”

The British Dental Association (BDA) Cymru welcomed the U-turn on continuity of care but warned the overall package amounted to “superficial repairs”.

Russell Gidney, chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, said: “The Welsh Government says it has listened to the public and our profession, but we need to see the small print. There are some important wins here. But plastering over a few of the biggest cracks is just superficial repairs.”

The BDA has raised concerns that under the reforms, patients with the healthiest mouths may only be recalled for check-ups every two years — instead of the current system, where most are seen every six to twelve months. Dentists warn this could reduce opportunities to spot early signs of disease, including oral cancers.

The union also described prevention measures as “tokenistic” and warned that payment levels still fall short of the true cost of care, leaving some practices at risk of losses or of leaving the NHS altogether.

It is also critical of the reforms being introduced via the Senedd’s “negative procedure”, which allows regulations to pass or be rejected within 40 days but prevents amendments.

Mr Gidney added: “Ministers are taking forward the biggest changes NHS dentistry in Wales has ever seen via a route that will all but rule out fixes once draft laws reach the Senedd. If our MSs can’t iron out the creases later, the Welsh Government must ensure real threats to this service don’t make the final cut of their plans.”

Conservative MS James Evans, the shadow health secretary, described the new NHS contract as a “sticking plaster solution that has the potential to harm dental patient outcomes in the long-term”.

Mr Evans said: “Continuity of care, the ability to choose to see your local family dentist, is essential. It’s what dentists and families are calling for the length and breadth of Wales, so this Labour Government U-turn is welcome.”

Plaid Cymru said dental services in Wales were in “existential crisis” and warned that without urgent support, more dentists would leave the NHS.

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, the party’s health and social care spokesperson, said: “The Labour Welsh Government must be clear about the implications of longer gaps between check-ups, prioritise the wellbeing of dentists given workload pressures, and improve data gathering for greater transparency.

“If urgent steps aren’t taken to support dentists, it will be patients that suffer.”