A new digital service has been launched across Wales to help residents easily find an NHS dentist. The Dental Access Portal is designed to streamline the process by providing a central platform where people can register their interest for NHS dental services. Health boards will use the portal to allocate spots for routine treatments, giving a clearer view of the demand for dental care across the region. This system eliminates the need for patients to contact multiple dental offices in search of available care.
How It Works
To register through the Dental Access Portal, applicants must meet a few criteria:
- Be 16 years old or older (parents can apply for children under 16).
- Have not received routine NHS dental treatment in the last four years.
- Reside in Wales for over six months a year or be registered with a Welsh GP practice.
Health Secretary Jeremy Miles emphasized the importance of the service, stating: “NHS dental access has not been at the level we’d like for the public. This platform will support individuals who haven’t seen a dentist in a while by ensuring they can access routine care more easily.”
Positive Results from the Pilot
The Dental Access Portal first launched as a trial in Powys, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Warren Tolley, the dental director at Powys Teaching Health Board, praised the system for its simplicity. He noted that the user-friendly interface allows patients to quickly submit their details, while the administrative functions streamline the process of matching patients to available dental practices.
A National Solution
Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) will manage the portal. Sam Hall, DHCW’s director of primary care, community, and mental health digital services, explained, “The portal provides a national platform to help us better understand the demand for NHS dental services. It also simplifies the process, making it easier and more equitable for people to register for care.”
Efficiency for Health Boards
The new system also offers significant benefits for health boards. By capturing patient information in one place, the portal allows local health authorities to better assess dental care needs and allocate appointments based on capacity. For patients, the system reduces the need to contact multiple practices, providing fairer and more consistent access to dental services across Wales.
How to Access Care
For individuals already registered with an NHS dentist, routine or emergency appointments should be scheduled directly with their practice. Those seeking NHS dental care for the first time can apply online via the Dental Access Portal. Eligible applicants will be contacted when an appointment becomes available.
For urgent dental treatment, individuals can visit the NHS 111 Wales website for guidance.
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