March 22, 2024 - 360 views
With the cost of NHS dental services set to rise significantly from April 1st, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called for a statement from the Welsh Health Minister.
Speaking in Wednesday's Business Statement in the Welsh Parliament, Mr. Millar raised concern that the increases range up to 27.7 per cent and asked the Health Minister to justify such rises.
He said: “One of the issues that has been raised with me recently by constituents are concerns about the significant increases in the costs of NHS dental services, which will come into effect on 1 April.
“I know that the British Dental Association in Wales has called them 'unprecedented' and it looks as though the increases range right up to 27.7 per cent for a band 2 treatment. Now, clearly, that is a significant amount. We know that inflation has been running at significant levels in recent years, but it's never reached 27.7 per cent.
“Can I ask the Welsh Government for a statement from the Health Minister on why they consider that sort of increase to be appropriate, particularly given the cost-of-living challenges that people have been dealing with in recent years?”
Responding, the Trefnydd and Minister for North Wales, Lesley Griffith MS, said: “I am aware that when the costs of dental treatment were looked at, it was intended to try to keep them as low as possible. Obviously, dental charges haven't risen in the way that you refer to, but I'm not aware that there is anything further, really, to be said ahead of the implementation of the dental charges on 1 April.”
Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Millar added: “People in my constituency, and indeed across the whole of Wales, are facing extremely challenging times and these soaring dental costs will inevitably result in some people simply not going to the dentist because they can’t afford the fees.
“In recent years we have seen a good number of dental practices in North Wales quitting the NHS, leaving thousands of people without a dentist, now those who are fortunate enough to still be registered with an NHS dentist are facing these rises.
“The Welsh Government have repeatedly said that they do not have the money to invest in NHS dentistry, but the truth of the matter is that for every £1 that's spent on an NHS dentistry episode in England, Wales gets £1.20 to spend here.
“There is a dentistry crisis in North Wales and these price increases will only serve to make the situation worse.”
