Wales too overhaul Dental Care wiht new Contract Focused on Need & Fairness
Wales is set to significantly reform its dental care system with a new contract launching in April 2026, aiming to improve access, fairness, and quality of care. This marks the first major overhaul in 20 years, replacing the current system which incentivizes six-monthly check-ups nonetheless of individual need.
The new contract prioritizes treatment based on oral health needs.Patients requiring active treatment or ongoing support will be seen more frequently, while those with healthy mouths will maintain regular appointments with their chosen dentist. A key change, responding to feedback from consultations, ensures patients won’t be placed on a central waiting list (the Dental Access Portal) between scheduled appointments.
Practices will receive payments for continuing care of existing patients,allowing dentists to tailor monitoring based on individual risk and need. The reforms also include increased NHS payments to dentists, raising general fee rates from a proposed £135 to £150 per hour.
Health Secretary Jeremy Miles stated: “good oral health is vital to our quality of life. these reforms demonstrate our commitment to making NHS dentistry more accessible, fairer, and lasting for both patients and professionals. we have listened to people and it is clear the trust and reassurance which comes with seeing the same dental professional over time is valued. We are making sure this is maintained in the new contract.”
Consultation responses showed strong support for the reforms among dental professionals.
Simplified & More Affordable Patient Charges:
the new system also simplifies patient charges. Those paying for NHS treatment will now cover 50% of the treatment package value, capped at £384 – a reduction from the initially proposed 55%. Around half of the Welsh population is already exempt from charges, including children, pregnant women, and those receiving certain benefits, and the low-income scheme will continue to provide financial assistance.
The reforms further include increased funding for collaborative ”cluster” advancement, encouraging dental professionals to work together and integrate preventative care into wider NHS reforms.
Miles concluded: “Every person in Wales deserves quality dental care when thay need it, regardless of where they live or their background. Change is needed, and our new dental contract is key in delivering what people want – a system which is fair and effective.”
