Cwestiwn ysgrifenedig WQ98395
- Gofynnwyd gan
- Russell GeorgeAnnibynnol
- I'w ateb gan
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Cyflwynwyd
- Dyddiad ateb
- Atebwyd
- Amser i'w ateb
- 6 diwrnod
Cwestiwn
Mae'r cwestiwn a'r ateb yn Saesneg gan nad oes fersiwn Gymraeg ar gael.
What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the sufficiency of NHS dental treatment provision to maintain the oral health of the population in Wales?
Ateb
Atebwyd gan Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
We want to reach a position where everyone who wants to access NHS dental care will be able to do so.
The Dental Access Pathway (DAP), which was introduced in February 2025, supports health boards in improving patient flow and informs service provision based on geographical patient need. It provides a clear picture of the number of people who want routine dental care but do not currently have a relationship with a dental practice.
The new general dental services contract, which comes into force from 1 April 2026, will improve access to NHS dental care, putting people’s oral healthcare needs and prevention at the heart of provision.
The sufficiency of NHS dental treatment provision is not the only action we are taking to maintain the oral health of the people of Wales. The two main oral diseases – tooth decay and gum disease – are almost entirely preventable. In the time that Designed to Smile has been running, we have seen the prevalence of decayed, missing or filled teeth reduce by 43% in five-year-olds and by 40% in 12-year-olds, which shows prevention is key if we are to improve the oral health of the population over the long term.