NDM8272 Darren Millar (Clwyd West)

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that an investigation by the British Dental Association found that 93 per cent of dental practices in Wales are not taking on new Welsh NHS adult patients.

2. Recognises that the British Dental Association’s survey of 250 dentists in Wales found that over a third of dentists plan to reduce their Welsh NHS contracts.

3. Expresses concern that many residents across Wales are waiting over two years to register with a Welsh NHS dentist.

4. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) work with the British Dental Association to ensure Welsh NHS dental contracts allow dental practices to increase their number of patients; and

b) urgently recruit more dentists by making Welsh NHS dentistry an attractive career, by refunding tuition fees for those who work five years in Welsh NHS dental practices.

The following amendments have been tabled:

Amendment 1 Lesley Griffiths (Wrexham)

Delete all and replace with:

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes that the recovery of dental services from the coronavirus pandemic presents a long-term challenge across the United Kingdom.

2. Notes that access to dental services continues to be challenging for some people in Wales.

3. Notes that the overwhelming majority of dental practices with NHS contracts were taking on new NHS patients last year and will continue to do so this year.

4. Notes that 174,000 people who had historically not received NHS dental care had an appointment and received treatment last year.

5. Notes that a minority of dental contracts have been terminated or reduced in value and that the funding returned remains with the health board to recommission replacement services.

6. Welcomes that the Welsh Government will continue to:

a) work with the British Dental Association to develop and negotiate a new dental contract that make NHS dentistry an attractive proposition; and

b) work with Health Education and Improvement Wales and dentistry undergraduates to understand what would motivate them to work in Wales post-graduation.

If amendment 1 is agreed, amendment 2 will be de-selected.

Amendment 2 Sian Gwenllian (Arfon)

Add as new sub-points at end of point 4: 

review contractual conditions for dentists and dental care professionals to make them more sustainable and attractive for the long term;

build dental training capacity including through exploring the possibility of establishing a new dental school in the north;

develop a workforce retention strategy.