The Welsh government has proposed a 6% pay rise for NHS dentists, but the offer is accompanied by four key conditions that have sparked significant controversy. The announcement, made on January 21 by Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Miles, is part of a broader effort to address NHS dental challenges, but it has drawn criticism from dental professionals.
The proposed pay increase, while welcomed by some, is contingent on NHS dentists agreeing to a set of requirements. These conditions include:
- Antimicrobial Audit: Every non-orthodontic dental contract holder must repeat the antimicrobial audit conducted in 2023/24, compare it with previous findings, and collaborate with practice staff to improve antibiotic prescribing by June 2025.
- Workforce Reporting: All dental contract holders are required to fully engage with the Welsh National Workforce Reporting System (WNWRS), providing quarterly updates.
- Patient NHS Numbers: Dentists must record patient NHS numbers on forms submitted to the NHS Business Services Authority, and appointment reminders should encourage patients to bring their NHS numbers.
- Waiting List Transfers: All practice-held waiting lists must be transferred to the Dental Access Portal by June 2025.
Despite the 6% pay increase, the British Dental Association (BDA) has voiced strong objections, arguing that it effectively amounts to a pay cut. The BDA claims the rise does not account for the rising costs of delivering NHS care, further deepening the financial challenges faced by dentists.
Russell Gidney, Chair of the BDA’s Welsh General Dental Practice Committee (WGDPC), described the Welsh government’s approach as “a spectacular display of bad faith.” He criticized the government for tying the pay increase to conditions that could complicate the dental service. Gidney pointed out that the government had already delayed pay increases, which he attributed to the government’s actions, not the WGDPC. He also expressed concern that the terms of the offer would undermine an already struggling dental service, noting that it effectively forces dentists to agree to conditions without addressing the growing financial pressures they face.
The ongoing issues in NHS dentistry were highlighted in a recent Senedd debate, where concerns over access to dental services were described as a “dental crisis” in parts of Wales. Siân Gwenllian, a member of the Senedd for Arfon, called for solutions, proposing the creation of a new dental school in Bangor as a potential way to address the workforce shortage. There is currently only one dental school in Wales, at Cardiff University, and the proposal would establish a dentistry course at Bangor University, which opened a medical school in September 2024.
Gwenllian suggested that a new dental school in Bangor could play a key role in addressing the dental service crisis in Wales. She urged the Welsh government to commission an outline strategic case for establishing a dental school in the area, emphasizing its potential to strengthen Wales’ health sector.
As the debate continues, NHS dentists and local officials are left grappling with the future of dental services in Wales, and whether the Welsh government’s proposed conditions will be accepted or rejected.
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