Welsh Dental Contract Reform: Unanswered Questions Remain
Many uncertainties persist regarding the promised reform of the Welsh dental contract. Practice Plan recently shared insights from a webinar discussing the consultation outcomes on NHS dental services reform in Wales.
Webinar Discussion
The webinar was hosted by Zoe Close, Head of Sales, alongside Lauren Harrhy, a practice owner and BDA representative, and Louise Anderson, a regional support manager based in south-west Wales. Their goal was to provide clarity amid ongoing uncertainty.
Concerns About Funding and Access
Despite attempts to stay optimistic, the lack of detailed information about the new contract tempered hopes for improvement. The removal of the Direct Access Portal (DAP) has been welcomed by some as a positive change.
“So, the DAP is gone but it doesn’t mean that we can still really happily look after those green patients. There’s only a small amount of funding allocated to look after the green patients.” — Lauren Harrhy
However, Lauren raised concerns about the limited funding for patients with low treatment needs, known as ‘green’ patients. Extending the recall period to two years may leave many patients stuck without timely access to NHS care.
Summary
The reform discussions highlight ongoing funding challenges for routine dental care and the potential risks of extended recall intervals for patients with minimal dental needs.
“The removal of the Direct Access Portal (DAP) has brought relief for some, but limitations in funding remain a significant concern.” — Webinar insight
Author's summary: The Welsh dental contract reform raises significant concerns over funding and patient access, especially for low-need patients, despite some welcomed changes like the removal of the DAP.