MS DARREN Millar has hit out after another dentist confirmed it would be 'quitting' the NHS. 

Mr Millar, MS for Clwyd West, voiced concerns in the Senedd on Tuesday, October 10, following the news that four self-employed dentists at the 'mydentist' clinic, on Elwy Street, are to move to an independent model from January 1, 2024.

When calling for an update from the Minister for Health and Social Services in relation to NHS dentistry in Wales in Tuesday’s (Private) Business Statement, Mr Millar said: "I know we've had reason to visit this many times in the past, however, there are concerns in my constituency because yet another NHS dentistry contract is being handed back, in the Rhyl area, which affects my constituents. 
 
“That will mean that thousands more people are no longer registered with an NHS dentist. That's on top of the Rhuthin Dental Practice handing back its contract earlier in the year, the White Gables Dental Practice in Colwyn Bay handing back its contract in June, and the Total Orthodontics contract in Colwyn Bay also being axed.
 
“It is clear that there are serious problems with the NHS contract reform that the Government has embarked upon, and this is forcing more and more dentists out of NHS dentistry.

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"We need an urgent statement, because this is becoming a very serious and acute problem indeed and, if we're not careful, no-one will be able to access an NHS dentist in North Wales or elsewhere.” 
 
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Millar added: “The Welsh Government have repeatedly said that they do not have the money to invest in NHS dentistry, but the truth of the matter is that for every £1 that's spent on an NHS dentistry episode in England, Wales gets £1.20 to spend here.
 
“Their lame excuses don’t wash with my constituents who can’t access a dentist.”
 
A spokesperson for mydentist said: “NHS dentistry is facing unprecedented pressure which, since the pandemic, has resulted in many clinicians choosing to move away from providing NHS treatments.

“Four of our self-employed dentists at our practice in Rhyl have made the same difficult decision.

“However, we would like to reassure our patients that the practice remains committed to providing NHS care.

“We are doing everything we can to recruit more NHS dentists and we continue to offer affordable private treatments to ensure as many patients as possible can get access to the care they need.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “It is always disappointing when a dentist decides to reduce or end their NHS commitment. when this happens the funding for the lost provision remains with the health board in order for it to replace the level of NHS dental services.

"We have increased funding for dentistry by more than £27m compared to 2018-19, including an extra £2m a year since last year for health boards to address local access issues. Nearly 246,000 patients who have historically not been able to get a dental appointment have gained access since April 2022.

“We have also started formal negotiations for a new dental contract which aim to develop a contract that is fairer for both patients and the dental profession”.