Welsh Government’s consultation on Reform of NHS general dental services: Welsh NHS Confederation response
Key points
Overall, our members support the proposed reforms to the General Dental Services (GDS) contract. While many potential positive impacts have been identified, our members emphasise the need for clarity on certain points and acknowledges that a whole-system approach is crucial, considering impacts on Community Dental Service and Secondary Care Services.
Members welcome the increased fees for preventive measures and the overarching emphasis on prevention; however, they recommend further clarification is needed on how prevention will be measured and express concern over the proposed reduction in prevention payments.
Ultimately, the Welsh Government's consultation outlines aspirations for both patients and dentists within the reformed GDS contract, to which our members have provided detailed feedback. For patients, the government aims to ensure individualised advice and treatment for preventing decay and gum disease. Our members support this, noting that many Dental Care Professionals (DCPs) are already providing such advice, integrating "Making Every Contact Count" (MECC) principle.
Finally, while the reforms offer promise in addressing long-standing issues within NHS dentistry, their success hinges on effectively addressing these practical and systemic hurdles. This includes ensuring adequate funding for the new models of care, investing in a robust digital infrastructure to support patient flow and record keeping, and implementing targeted support and training for the dental workforce.
