BBC News<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Patients could be moved around dental surgeries under proposed changes to the system.<\/p>\n Instead of having a regular surgery, the changes could see people offered treatment at any practice within their health board area, with check-ups for those with healthy teeth pushed to every 18 to 24 months.<\/p>\n The Welsh government said the proposals would improve access to dental services, particularly for those most in need.<\/p>\n But the British Dental Association (BDA) said the opposite could happen and more patients may be forced to go private.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The biggest change would see all patients over 18 placed onto a central waiting list, called the Dental Access Portal (DAP).<\/p>\n They would then be allocated a surgery, which could be anywhere within the health board area.<\/p>\n If they need treatment, they would remain with that surgery until it is complete and beyond, if they needed close monitoring.<\/p>\n If or when teeth are healthy, patients would be returned to the central portal and would be recalled for a check-up in 18 to 24 months wherever there is space.<\/p>\n Children would be assessed under the plans but stay at the first surgery they are allocated.<\/p>\n Some charges for patients would also change – with check-ups going up from \u00a320 to \u00a324.75 but a single crown going down from \u00a3260 to \u00a3239.15.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Health Minister Jeremy Miles said the plans would benefit everyone.<\/p>\n “It will make NHS dentistry more attractive to dentists and that is good for patients,” he said.<\/p>\n “Actually, what we want to make sure is that patients do look after their own oral health but when they do need to see a dentist they will be able to access one which is the critical thing.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jody Pegler, 46, from Pontllanfraith, Caerphilly county, who has been with his dentist in Newbridge for more than 30 years, said: “I have been coming here since I was a child.<\/p>\n “It’s nice to see the same person on a regular basis.”<\/p>\n Mr Pegler, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, said his family members needing to visit different surgeries could be problematic.<\/p>\n “My wife, my child and myself could potentially be attending different practices,” he said.<\/p>\n “It’s difficult to get out and to go anywhere really and if we have to go to different practices it would be impossible.<\/p>\n “This dentist’s in particular have made a big effort to make sure the practice is wheelchair accessible for me – that means a lot.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Jody’s dentist is Dr Harj Singhrao, owner of Newbridge Dental Care, who believes the potential breakdown in continued care will be “devastating”.<\/p>\n “If families can’t be seen at the same practice, if people are punished then to join a waiting list because they have looked after their mouth, then where are they going to go? Because we know hospital waiting lists don’t work,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"BBC](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/44df\/live\/dbb52dc0-4364-11f0-b1c6-5f7a28e8e0fb.jpg.webp\")
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