All NHS dentists in Wrexham at capacity, says health board

Accessing NHS dentists in Wrexham has been a growing issue over recent years, with huge waiting lists forcing people into DIY dentistry. 

Last month, Dant Y Coed dental practice in Coedpoeth handed back its NHS contract after it became "unworkable", resulting in 12,000 patients needing to pay to stay on or look elsewhere.

Similarly last year, Ruabon Road dental practice cut 25% of their NHS capacity after being left with "no alternative". 

The issue of NHS dentists was raised in the Senedd by MS for North Wales Llyr Gruffydd. During the debate, Minister for North Wales Ken Skates stated there were 11 dental practices in the Wrexham county borough providing NHS provision.

Llyr Gruffydd. (Image: Submitted) Since then, Betsi has written to Mr Gruffydd outlining that all NHS dentists are at capacity and are not accepting new patients. At least one dentist also has a waiting list of 4,000. 

Mr Gruffydd said: “Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board has confirmed to me in a letter that all the dental practices in the Wrexham area are at capacity in terms of accepting new NHS patients.

"At least one has a waiting list of 4,000 to access NHS treatment. The reality is that none of the 11 are currently accepting new NHS patients.

“My question was in reference to the decision by Dant y Coed dental practice in Coedpoeth to hand back its NHS contract for 12,000 patients. That’s a significant number of people who will now either have to pay more than £200 a year for check-ups or be denied dental treatment.

“The health board was at least honest enough to admit that these dental practices are at capacity in terms of NHS patients.

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“Can I suggest he talks to dentists so that he better understands the problems they are facing in terms of operating the current NHS contracts introduced by the Labour Government in Wales? They are inadvertently making it more difficult to provide NHS treatment to existing patients.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "It’s always disappointing when a dentist reduces or ends their NHS commitment. However, the funding stays with the Health Board to replace the level of NHS services. Arrangements are made for urgent care until new ones are established.

“Work is ongoing in North Wales to replace NHS dental contracts which have been handed back. For example, £1.5m has been awarded across five practices, including setting up a new one in Flintshire, with more to follow later this year."

Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board was approached for a comment.