Dental services in Gwynedd at ‘crisis point’
A Plaid Cymru MS suggested that dental services in parts of Wales have reached a “crisis point” at a recent debate at the Senedd.
MS Mabon ap Gwynfor said that patients in Gwynedd were finding it “virtually impossible” to get a dental appointment, with NHS services “slowly eroding” in the area. Residents have been unable to find practices that are accepting new NHS patients and even those who manage to get onto waiting lists are waiting up to two years to actually see a dentist, the Plaid Cymru MS stated.
Statistics released by the Welsh Government show that only 31.7% of patients in the area covered by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board received treatment in the last two years. This is one of the lowest figures in Wales.
Ally Kingdon is one of many patients who have shared their story to highlight the extent of the access crisis. Ally, from Abergynolwyn, has recently managed to register with a dental practice near her home after several failed attempts, but she will now have to wait for up to two years to get an appointment.
Talking to other members of the Senedd, Mr ap Gwynfor urged the Welsh Government to invest in dentistry urgently and bring forward a statement on NHS dental services.
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