Jane Dodds has again raised concerns about people’s access to NHS dentists.

The Mid and West Wales MS asked at the Senedd this week what the Welsh Government is doing to reduce waiting times for dental care.

She told Health Minister Eluned Morgan that dentistry was something she had raised with her “time and time again”.

Ms Dodds said she had heard from dentists and the British Dental Association that they cannot deliver additional appointments for new patients because practices do not have sufficient capacity.

She said: “Existing patients, they say, are facing further delays because new patients are likely to need significant follow-up work.

“I'm told that many practices, unable to meet their contracted targets, are having their funding clawed back by health boards.

“As a result of the uncertainties, they are reducing their commitment to NHS dental work or even walking away altogether.”

Ms Dodds asked if new appointments that Ms Morgan had mentioned are actually new appointments or just the equivalent funding.

She pressed her to meet with the British Dental Association for further talks on this issue.

Ms Morgan said that under their contract reform arrangements, dental practices focus on prevention and needs-based care rather than providing routine check-ups every six months to all patients.

As a result of this shift, more than 123,000 new patients have gained access to an NHS dentist so far this year.