Calls for action to tackle North Wales dental crisis as patients face long waits

A North Wales politician has called for action to tackle a crisis in accessing dental care as patients face long waits.

The issue was raised in the Senedd yesterday by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders, who said it was leading to pressure on GP surgeries as people seek alternatives when they are in pain.

Last week, in a visit to the Craig-y-Don Medical Practice, the Conservative MS said she was told how the surgery is training receptionists to re-direct patients to more appropriate services where required, such as opticians and dentists.

However, Mrs Finch-Saunders fears that such efforts may be undermined due to lengthy waiting lists and dental practices not taking on new patients.

In North Wales, whilst the number of dentists in the region grew by one per cent last year, the equivalent of one in 20 have left the profession since 2019.

Across Wales as a whole, 83 fewer dentists were working for health boards in 2021 than in 2020.

Speaking after the Senedd session, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “I am incredibly disappointed by the way that the Welsh Labour-led government has behaved towards dentists and their patients during the present Coronavirus pandemic.

“Often, their approach to this essential health service felt as only a secondary after thought.

“In spite of the Welsh Government providing ambiguous reference to an apparent significant funding boost into the Welsh dentistry during plenary yesterday, as my own email inbox can attest, there remains a lack of access for children, adults and pensioners, with many contacting my office not knowing where to turn.

“During recent discussions with healthcare professionals and visits to our GP surgeries, it has been made clear that they are under unprecedented strain as practices receive an increasing number of appointment request from those in agonising pain.

“It is clear that clarity is needed as to where this money has been spent and what immediate action will be taken to relieve the pressure.

“Whilst the dental teaching unit in Bangor was a step in the right direction, and one which I hope will help to increase the number of dentists working locally, I continue to make clear that the Welsh Government have left this sector out in the cold for far too long.

“We must heed warnings that the current backlog could be storing up many dental issues for the future.”

Similar requests for action also came from Welsh Labour members, Alun Davies MS and Huw Irranca-Davies MS.

Responding to their calls, government minister Lesley Griffiths said: “You’ll be aware that the Minister for Health and Social Services has put significant funding into dentistry—some additional funding—and that she’s meeting monthly with health boards to see how we can improve access to NHS dentistry across Wales.

“The health boards will be able to invest that funding to address those local needs and issues.”