Jeremy Miles 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.