Written question WQ99221

Under current contractual arrangements, patients are not formally “registered” with a practice but establish a relationship through an NHS care plan or recall arrangement. Recall intervals must be clinically determined in line with NICE guidance, agreed with the patient, and based on individual need rather than fixed time periods. Health boards and practices are expected to apply these arrangements fairly, taking account of individual circumstances, including where patients have had trouble accessing care.

A patient’s ongoing relationship with a practice is maintained through care delivered under a dentist-led treatment plan or agreed recall. Attendance for NHS care as part of such a plan will contribute to maintaining this relationship. Standalone attendance for services such as hygienist appointments does not maintain NHS patient status unless it forms part of a dentist-led care plan. We will continue to keep these arrangements under review.

We recognise that some patients may have faced challenges accessing NHS dental care. Patients without an ongoing relationship with a practice can register via the Dental Access Portal, which enables health boards to allocate appointments based on need as capacity becomes available. Patients who believe their circumstances have not been appropriately considered should raise this with their health board.