In rising to request an urgent statement from the Welsh Government, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has underlined the pressure being faced by local GP practices as a result of issues faced by residents when trying to access NHS dental care. Similar requests for action also came from Welsh Labour members, Alun Davies MS and Huw Irranca-Davies MS.
During recent discussions with GPs, it was outlined how some surgeries are actively training their receptionists as care navigators which will help them re-direct patients to more appropriate services where required, such as opticians and dentists. There are now fears that this process may be undermined due to lengthy waiting lists and practices not taking on new patients.
In North Wales, whilst the number of dentists in the region grew by 1% last year, the equivalent of one in 20 have left the profession since 2019. Across Wales as a whole, 83 fewer dentists were working for health boards in 2021 than in 2020.
Commenting on the issue, Janet said:
“I am incredibly disappointed by the way that the Welsh Labour-led Government has behaved towards dentists and their patients during the present Coronavirus pandemic. Often, their approach to this essential health service felt as only a secondary after thought.
“In spite of the Welsh Government providing ambiguous reference to an apparent significant funding boost into the Welsh dentistry during plenary yesterday, as my own email inbox can attest, there remains a lack of access for children, adults and pensioners, with many contacting my office not knowing where to turn.
“During recent discussions with healthcare professionals and visits to our GP surgeries, it has been made clear that they are under unprecedented strain as practices receive an increasing number of appointment request from those in agonising pain. It is clear that clarity is needed as to where this money has been spent and what immediate action will be taken to relieve the pressure.
“Whilst the Dental Teaching Unit in Bangor was a step in the right direction, and one which I hope will help to increase the number of dentists working locally, I continue to make clear that the Welsh Government have left this sector out in the cold for far too long. We must heed warnings that the current backlog could be storing up many dental issues for the future.”
Residents can report their experience of dental provision by heading to [www.janetfinchsaunders.org.uk/healthsurvey]www.janetfinchsaunders.org.u….
ENDS
Photo: by Atikah Akhtar on Unsplash