Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS has said that NHS dentistry in Wales is facing an existential crisis but won’t survive for much longer without urgent action.

In the last decade, there has been an almost 40% reduction in dentistry work within the NHS.

Last month, the British Dental Association Cymru accused the Welsh Government of “spin, half-truths and doublespeak” on workforce numbers and patient funding.

Mr ap Gwynfor has accused the Labour Welsh Government of failing to give the deteriorating situation within NHS dentistry the “seriousness it deserves.”

Today (Wednesday), the Senedd will debate ap Gwynfor’s Member Legislative Proposal to enshrine in law a minimum level of staffing in NHS dentistry based on the oral needs of the population. The bill would place a duty on local health boards in Wales to undertake reasonable steps to achieve this, and for Welsh Ministers to develop a workforce plan to support and sustain the NHS dentistry profession in Wales.

Speaking ahead of his Member’s Legislative Proposal debate, Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Mabon Gwynfor MS said: “NHS dentistry in Wales is facing an existential crisis, yet this Labour Welsh Government is failing to give the situation the seriousness it deserves.

“As it stands, the number of dentists undertaking NHS work is falling with the number of NHS practices quickly reducing too. All the while, workforce morale is deteriorating.

“If we are to increase dental services for NHS patients, then we must get the basics right. That means matching service provision with demand through safe staffing levels; placing a duty on health boards to take reasonable steps to maintain dentistry staffing levels; and for Welsh Ministers to develop a workforce plan to support and sustain NHS dentistry in Wales.

“Without urgent action and listening to the needs of both the sector and patients, Wales will become a dental desert. This bill does exactly what’s needed – and makes sure that NHS dentistry isn’t a ‘nice to have’ or an optional extra, but something that everyone has a right to access.”