Almost Half Of Welsh Residents Fail To Visit A Dentist Regularly
Almost half of the Welsh population failed to visit an NHS dentist in the two year period leading up to April this year, statistics have revealed.
Figures published by the Welsh Government showed that only 54.7 per cent of the population saw a dentist over the course of the 24 month period, despite the fact that dentists recommend 6 monthly check-ups for children and adults.
The government was quick to point out that the statistics do not include patients who chose to see a private dentist and patients who were treated by community dental services.
The number of courses of treatment provided by dentists in Wales rose by 1.2 per cent in 2013-2014 compared to the same 12 month period a year earlier and more people paid full price for their treatment.
In response to the figures, opposition parties have criticised the Welsh Government for failing to improve access to dental services and called for more to be done to ensure that people are seeing a dentist for frequent check-ups.
Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Kirsty Williams, accused Labour of dropping the target for access to NHS dental services and claimed that the government had altered the target of 100 per cent, which was set in 2006 without informing the public. The aim was for every person in Wales to be able to see an NHS dentist, but since 2006, this target has been “quietly” reduced, according to Williams.
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