Dental capacity set to increase in Llandrindod Wells
Councillors and residents in Llandrindod Wells have something to smile about after months of campaigning for improved access to dental services.
The town council has been working tirelessly to gather support for better dental access since 2020. After launching a campaign and carrying out surveys to assess coverage in the local area, councillors have finally received positive news. Powys Teaching Health Board has confirmed additional funding from the Welsh Government to increase capacity in Llandrindod Wells.
The extra funding will pay for an additional dental chair in the town, enabling dentists to treat more patients. The contract has now gone out for tender and health bosses will be reviewing applications in the coming weeks.
The news has been welcomed by Welsh Liberal Democrat leader, Jane Dodds and the town council. The council survey, which was conducted in 2020, revealed gaps in provision and provided evidence that residents were struggling to get NHS dental appointments. Ms Dodds passed the report on to health minister, Eluned Morgan.
Ms Morgan pledged to continue working on the issue and promised to address problems raised by the report. Residents reported long waiting times, a lack of NHS places, travelling outside of the area to see a dentist and trouble getting appointments. One patient said they had been unable to get an appointment for three years, despite suffering with a broken tooth.
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