June 19, 2026 - 268 views
Clwyd MS Darren Millar has raised fresh concerns over the continued loss of NHS dental services in his constituency, after another Abergele practice confirmed it will stop providing NHS treatment.
Elwy Dental Practice, based on Chapel Street in Abergele, will end its NHS contract on June 30, meaning it will no longer offer NHS dental services from the site. Private treatment may continue to be available.
The move means thousands of patients will now need to seek alternative NHS provision at a time when access to dentistry across North Wales remains under significant pressure.
Mr Millar, who is leading a campaign on the withdrawal of NHS dentistry across Conwy and Denbighshire, said the latest closure will deepen anxiety for patients already struggling to access care.
He said he was “deeply disappointed” that Abergele is set to lose another NHS dental provider, noting that the practice serves around 3,668 patients each year. The announcement comes just months after Abergele Dental Surgery in Groes Lwyd also ended its NHS provision.
“At a time when access to NHS dentistry is already under immense pressure, losing another NHS provider will cause understandable anxiety for local families,” he said.
Mr Millar argued that warnings had previously been given to the Welsh Government over concerns about the national dental contract, which he said had contributed to dentists withdrawing from NHS work.
“The previous Welsh Government was warned that unless it acted to address concerns raised by the dentistry profession about its new dental contract, many dentists in Wales would withdraw from the provision of NHS services, but it refused to listen and we now find ourselves in this position,” he said.
He added that people expect to be able to access NHS dental care locally, but said this is becoming increasingly difficult in many communities.
Mr Millar said he has repeatedly raised the issue in the Senedd, calling for urgent action to recruit and retain NHS dentists and prevent further losses of services in towns such as Abergele.
“It is barbaric that in this day and age, people are pulling out their own teeth and travelling overseas for dental treatment,” he said.
He urged the new Plaid Cymru-led Welsh Government to make tackling the dental crisis a priority, saying the situation must be addressed as a matter of urgency.
