Wales reforms NHS dentistry

The Welsh Government has announced major changes to the NHS dental contract intended to focus care on clinical need and prevention. The reform replaces the long-standing “units of dental activity” model and sets out a new approach to how patients are recalled and how practices are paid.

Key changes at a glance

• Patients will be recalled according to their oral-health needs rather than automatically every six months; people with the healthiest mouths may be recalled only every 18–24 months.
• Plans to move “green” patients onto a central Dental Access Portal and allocate patients to any available practice in the area have been dropped after consultation — continuity of care with a chosen dentist will be preserved for recall appointments.
• The reforms include an uplift in the payment rates offered to practices under the new contract.
• The new contract is scheduled to come into effect from April 2026.

Why the change?

The Welsh Government says the previous contract effectively rewarded regular six-monthly recalls regardless of need. The new system aims to prioritise those who require more care while freeing capacity for patients with clinical need — and to put prevention at the heart of NHS dentistry in Wales. Officials say the reforms are the first significant update in around 20 years.

What patients should expect

If you normally attend six-monthly check-ups and are assessed as having very low risk, your dentist may recommend a longer recall interval — in line with clinical guidance — of up to 18–24 months. If you need treatment or close monitoring, you will continue to be seen more frequently. Children and higher-need patients are treated differently under the proposals and will not be shuffled around in the same way.

Important: if you rely on a particular dentist and continuity of care matters to you, practices will receive payments to continue seeing existing patients for recall appointments, rather than patients being diverted to a central waiting list. This change followed strong feedback during consultation.

How the profession reacted

The British Dental Association and other representative groups raised serious concerns about some earlier proposals — particularly the effect on the “family dentist” and whether the proposed payment arrangements would be financially sustainable for practices. After the consultation the Welsh Government withdrew the most controversial allocation proposals and adjusted payments, but campaigners say they will be watching the detail closely to ensure the reforms are workable.

When this will happen

The Welsh Government’s published timetable says the new contract will come into force in April 2026. Until then practices and patients will be given time to prepare for how recalls and payments will operate under the refreshed system.

What you can do now

• Keep attending dental appointments as arranged and discuss any concerns about recall intervals with your dental team.
• If continuity of care is important to you, raise this with your practice — the revised contract preserves the ability for practices to continue seeing existing patients for recalls.
• Follow local NHS Wales and your dental practice for detailed local arrangements as the changes are rolled out.

If you want the official government summary of the reforms, look for the Welsh Government’s announcement of 23 September 2025.

Sources: Welsh Government announcement; reporting from ITV and specialist dental publications; statements from the British Dental Association and industry commentary.

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