MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Social Care: I am pleased to announce the Welsh
Government will be implementing a 4% uplift to annual contract
values for NHS dental contract holders in Wales for 2025-26. This
represents an extra £9.8m million in NHS dental services for this
year and is in line with the recommendation of the Doctors and
Dentists Review Body (DDRB).
The Welsh Government values the constructive engagement with
professional bodies through formal negotiations to determine
contractual arrangements for NHS services. This year, however,
the British Dental Association (BDA) Cymru decided not to take
part in formal negotiations.
I have proceeded with the 4% uplift to ensure continued support
for NHS dental services and dental professionals, while also
progressing with necessary reforms in the lead-up to the
implementation of the new NHS dental contract in April 2026. This
is not a decision I have taken lightly – it reflects the unique
circumstances we have faced this year. We remain committed to
working in social partnership with employers and the profession.
The new general dental service contract is central to our
ambitions for improved NHS dental care in Wales, providing the
foundation for delivering high-quality, accessible, and
sustainable dental services.
The uplift will apply to all NHS dental contract holders, with
the exception of orthodontic contracts, and is subject to a set
of conditions, which are designed to continue to improve patient
care and prepare for the upcoming reforms:
- All dental contract holders must repeat the antimicrobial
audit, compare results with previous years, and discuss findings
with their teams to improve antibiotic prescribing.
- Practices are required to undertake a structured review of
their urgent care provision, ensuring patients receive definitive
care and identify areas for improvement.
- For every referral of a child for advanced dental services,
practices must provide evidence of at least two acclimatisation
attempts before referral, with detailed records included in the
referral documentation.
- All practices must implement a do not attend policy and
record and report missed appointments, taking steps to reduce
them.
Practices will also be required to confirm compliance with these
conditions by 30 June 2026, providing evidence to health boards
as requested.
