A dental practice in North Wales is ending its NHS contract, prompting patients to seek treatment abroad, including in Eastern Europe, for dental care.
Rhos on Sea: Another dental practice in North Wales is closing its NHS doors. This is part of a growing crisis affecting many patients in the area.
Rhos Road Dental Practice has told the Betsi health board it will end its NHS contract by March 31. After that, they’ll only offer private services.
Darren Millar, the leader of the Welsh Conservatives, is sounding the alarm. He’s met with health board officials to discuss the issue. He mentioned that some folks are even traveling to Eastern Europe for dental care.
He said it’s a tough situation for people in North Wales. Many practices are dropping their NHS contracts, making it hard to find a dentist. He’s been pushing for action from the Welsh Government.
Millar pointed out that it used to be easy for people to get regular check-ups. Now, many can’t even find a dentist. This lack of access can lead to serious health issues, like undiagnosed mouth cancers.
With the Rhos on Sea practice closing, thousands more will be without an NHS dentist. Millar believes the response from the Welsh Government is not enough. He plans to raise this issue again with health officials.
The health board acknowledged the disappointment this closure brings. They mentioned that they’re still trying to find new NHS dental providers in the area.
MS Llyr Gruffydd from Plaid Cymru also expressed concern. She noted that many practices are returning their contracts, and the new contracts from the Labour Government aren’t working as intended.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said changes made in 2022 have helped many people access NHS dentists. However, they recognize there’s still a lot of work to do.
