As part of my healthcare campaign (which you can sign below), I am engaging with the health board and raising your concerns. Accessing local dentistry services is one of them, and I am pleased that the health board have provided further information on accessing dentistry services.
The health board are aware that many people are having difficultly accessing NHS dental services, but they expect to see this situation improve in the coming weeks as they put solutions in place.
They have also advised that:
- You don’t need to be registered with a particular dentist practice to access NHS care. If a practice offers NHS appointments, you can make an appointment with them regardless of where or if you are registered when they have capacity to see you.
- You can use the online dentist facility to contact a practice near you to ask if you can make an appointment or be added to their patient list or waiting list.
- Urgent appointments are available at practices that offer NHS care and you can access these even if you are on a waiting list. Anyone who needs urgent dental treatment outside of their dentist's opening hours - or if they do not have a dentist - should contact NHS 111 Wales for advice.
- As pressures continue to ease, more practices will be able to take on NHS patients and for those already registered with a practice they will be contacted when routine check-up appointments become available in line with their oral health risk assessments.
- More information about dental services can be found on the health board's website here.
