More than 7,000 children are waiting to see a dentist in Cardiff
More than 7,000 children are waiting to see a dentist in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Figures show that 7,443 children in the region are waiting for a dental appointment amid growing concerns over access to NHS dental services.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats have called for the government to take urgent action after obtaining the data via a freedom of information request. The party suggested that Labour is presiding over a “two-tier system of dentistry,” which means that only patients who can afford to go private can see a dentist without waiting or travelling long distances.
In response to the publication of the figures, a spokesperson from Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said that dental services across the country have been “under significant pressure post-pandemic.” The board is working to increase capacity and reduce waiting times.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to allow dental hygienists and nurses to offer a wider range of services to ease pressure on dentists. They have also urged ministers to increase funding for NHS dentistry in line with spending in other parts of the UK. In Wales, spending per capita is £47 compared to £55 in Scotland and £56 in Northern Ireland.
A spokesman for the Welsh Government stated that from 2022, an additional £2 million per year will be invested in improving access to NHS dental services across Wales.
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