Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Sandra Jervis, has hit out at the Welsh Labour Government after new figures revealed that more people are waiting for an NHS dentist in Wales than live in the entire city of Wrexham!

Data uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats shows that 51,843 people are currently on NHS dental waiting lists across Wales – a figure larger than the population of Wrexham – including 5,413 children.

In Hywel Dda Health Board, 12,045 adults are waiting for an NHS dentist. Even more concerningly, 2,325 children are also on the waiting list, making Hywel Dda the worst-performing health board in Wales.

The figures highlight what the party describes as a growing crisis in access to basic NHS dental services after 25 years of Welsh Labour-led government.

Sandra Jervis has also shared her own personal experience of the dental crisis in West Wales.

Her youngest child was left with smashed teeth for over two years after falling face-first at a soft play centre as a toddler and breaking several teeth. Despite contacting numerous dental practices across Ceredigion, she was repeatedly turned away, leaving her son in agony and begging to have his teeth taken out.

Unable to afford private treatment, Sandra eventually sought help through NHS 111. After multiple promised call-backs and conflicting advice, her son was finally seen and required surgery to remove seven teeth in one operation.

She asked for him to remain registered as an NHS patient but was told he could only stay on the books for a year. He is now without an NHS dentist.

Sandra has warned that the crisis is not just an inconvenience but poses serious long-term health risks. Poor oral health can lead to gum disease and tooth loss, while routine check-ups are crucial for identifying early signs of mouth cancer. Children missing out on regular care can face lifelong consequences.

Sandra Jervis commented: “When my little boy smashed his teeth as a toddler, I did what any parent would do – I tried to get him help. I phoned dentist after dentist across Ceredigion and was turned away every time.

“We simply couldn’t afford to go private. After months of stress, promises of call-backs and being passed from pillar to post, he finally ended up needing seven teeth removed in one go. No family should have to go through that.

“Now he isn’t even registered with an NHS dentist, and I live in fear that we’ll be back in the same position again.

“It is an absolute disgrace that more people are waiting for an NHS dentist in Wales than live in Wrexham. After 25 years in charge, Welsh Labour has no excuses. We need a dental contract that works, proper investment in community services, and a government that treats oral health as essential healthcare – not an afterthought.”

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have proposed a series of reforms to fix NHS dentistry in Wales, including - introducing binding targets for the Welsh Government and Health Boards to reduce waiting lists.