Concerned by the thousands of people in his constituency who have lost access to NHS dentistry in recent years, Clwyd MS Darren Millar has urged the Welsh Government to take action. 

Calling for a statement on NHS dentistry in Wales from the Cabinet Minister for Health and Care in yesterday's Business Statement, Darren referred to the drastic action that people are taking because they cannot access an NHS dentist and asked the Welsh Government what action it will be taking to address the crisis. 

Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, he said:  

"As the Trefnydd will know, there are hundreds of thousands of individuals in Wales that are not currently registered with an NHS dentist, and many people are having to take matters into their own hands with pliers, or travelling outside of Wales for their treatment, sometimes even overseas.

"This includes people in my constituency of Clwyd who have lost access to NHS dentistry in recent years, including the patients of two local clinics in the Abergele area that have closed in recent months.

"Now, we know that part of the problem is the NHS dental contract, which was foisted on the dentists of Wales by the previous Welsh Labour Government. That clearly needs looking at again in order to make it more attractive for people to join NHS dentistry and to keep their NHS contracts going.

"We need to know what action the Welsh Government is going to take to address this rising tide and exodus, and I'd be grateful to know what action is going to be taken, and if a statement could come forward." 

Responding, the Welsh Government's Business Manager said: 

"The Cabinet Minister for Health and Care is ensuring that there is a review being done of the new contract in the autumn, and the dental access portal helps people to find a dentist as well. I do recognise that there are challenges here, and we are committed to addressing them." 

Speaking after the meeting, Darren said: 

"I really hope for the sake of all those out there who are experiencing dental pain and are unable to access a dentist,  that the Welsh Government are true to their word. 

"I've said it time and time again, it is absolutely barbaric that in this day and age people are having to pull out their own teeth because they can't get in with a dentist. The dental crisis facing our communities here in Clwyd, and indeed across the whole of Wales, needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency." 

Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below: