NHS dentistry might disappear in two years warns the BDA

As reported by the BBC, the British Dental Association survey showed an alarming number of Welsh dentists aiming to hand back their NHS contracts

The Welsh government reforms have stated that they aim to make 112,000 appointments available for new patients.

A BDA study involving 250 high street dental practices in Wales showcased more than one third of the participants claiming they would minimise they NHS contract in 2023, while over 10% stated they would completely get rid of their contracts by March.

The milestones envisioned to clear the COVID backlog in dentistry seems undoable as new dental patients would take more time to treat than past patients who are more broadly in need of regular check ups.

“We’ve a very real possibility that NHS dentistry as we know it will not in exist in a year or two’s time,” says Russell Gidney, chairman of the BDA‘s Welsh General Committee. 

“We continue to work the BDA to explore how the reform of the national dental contract can encourage dental practices to collaborate and best respond to the dental and oral health needs of their communities,” responded a spokesperson from the Welsh government.