'Wales' Blog Posts

• Wales: Our mandate for GDS contract negotiation

  Our mandate lays out our terms for negotiation and the elements that need to be covered in a new General Dentistry Service (GDS) contract.

  Blog Date 20 April, 2023

• Wales: Introduction of new GDS data capture systems

  We continue to argue for more accurate data to evidence the ‘supply’ and ‘demand’ of NHS General Dental Services (GDS). This was made clear in our evidence to the Health and Social Care Committee’s consultation on dentistry.

  Blog Date 4 April, 2023

• Wales: Is GDS contract reform running out of road?

  We are working hard to ensure that dentists and dental teams have a public voice. NHS dentistry contract reform is at a pivotal point and its current impact on practices needs to be understood by government.

  Blog Date 16 March, 2023

• Wales: Winds of change propel dentists towards private practice

  The mounting problems with the reform of NHS dentistry in Wales and the funding constraints are two key factors causing associates to vote with their feet. Many practices are taking stock and revisiting their business models, including conversion partially or wholly to private provision.

  Blog Date 2 March, 2023

• Wales: Political tide must turn to save GDS contract reform

  ​We examine your views following our survey on the GDS contract reform volumetrics, or the UDA-only option, and the choices you are facing for 2023-24. A rapid report reveals a bleak picture ahead.

  Blog Date 27 February, 2023

• Wales: Is the UDA-only contract a port in the storm?

  We look at why the UDA-only option might work better for some practices in the forthcoming financial year and examine the journey of leaving contract reform and reverting to the UDA-only contract.

  Blog Date 15 February, 2023

• Wales: GDS contract reform at difficult crossroads

  ​After 10 months of working with new GDS volumetrics, or the UDA-only option, we have provided an overview of the choices NHS dentists are facing for 2023-24. We want to hear what your future holds and urge you to share your views in our short survey.

  Blog Date 10 February, 2023

• Wales: Open letter addresses the uncertain future of NHS dentistry

  We have written an open letter to the Welsh Government after the publication of end-of-year reconciliation guidance has ignored our clear recommendations to secure the future of the profession.

  Blog Date 20 January, 2023

• The four nations' wishes for 2023

  ​As we enter the new year BDJ In Practice has asked each of the four British Dental Association offices across the UK's nations to reflect on the past year's struggles and set wishes on how to improve the situation for 2023 and beyond.

  Blog Date 11 January, 2023

• Wales: The important role of Welsh speaking dentists

  The ability to speak Welsh brings a wide range of benefits to patients including building a strong rapport and helping to give reassurance. Welsh is more than just a language, for the comfort of patients it’s important to overcome the barriers.

  Blog Date 1 December, 2022

• Wales: Senedd spotlight on NHS dentistry

  We reflect on giving evidence to the Senedd Dentistry Inquiry, highlighting the need for urgent action on NHS dentistry.

  Blog Date 20 October, 2022

• Wales: How well are the GDS contracts working?

  We’ve secured clarity on two important issues – no ACORNs in UDA-only contracts and UOA requirements.

  Blog Date 25 April, 2022

• Wales: Is the GDS contract offer worth the risk?

  We have been navigating the GDS contract options, and this week Welsh dentists’ shared their concerns with us in our recent survey.

  Blog Date 16 March, 2022

• Wales: GDS contract offer 2022-23

  A new contract or the UDA-only option, here’s an overview of the choices available to NHS dentists in Wales for 2022-23.

  Blog Date 3 March, 2022

• Wales: The year in review

  During the pandemic, BDA Wales has helped to keep dentistry front of mind during decision making, leading to greater investment and changes to working practices. With the end of the year approaching, it’s now a good time to look back at some of our successes and achievements.

  Blog Date 15 December, 2021

• Wales: Mental health in a time of crisis

  A personal perspective and research insights into the mental health of dentists in Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Blog Date 9 June, 2021

• Wales: Bridging the gap with our oral health manifesto

  What the next Welsh Government must do to bridge the gap in oral health inequalities and rebuild dentistry in Wales.

  Blog Date 15 April, 2021

• Wales: Update on NHS targets and contract reform

  The latest on contract reform, NHS financial support and targets for quarters one and two in Wales.

  Blog Date 25 February, 2021

• Wales: We’re making your voice heard on the issues that matter

  Tom Bysouth tells us how BDA Wales are making dentists’ voices heard and why it’s important for us all to stand together.

  Blog Date 18 August, 2020

• Coronavirus: Dentistry in Wales needs urgent support

  Tom Bysouth, Chair of the WGDPC, warns that patient numbers across dentistry in Wales will dwindle without fundamental and ongoing reform.

  Blog Date 3 July, 2020

• Coronavirus: How the proposed NHS dental recovery plan will work in Wales

  Tom Bysouth on the Welsh Government’s proposed recovery plan for NHS contracts.

  Blog Date 30 June, 2020

• Coronavirus: What BDA Wales is doing for you

  Dr Caroline Seddon details how BDA Wales continues to campaign on your behalf as face-to-face clinical care looks set to expand.

  Blog Date 17 June, 2020

• Coronavirus: De-escalation plans and private practice in Wales

  Paul Jones tells us how de-escalation plans impact private practices in Wales and highlights members’ voices at this critical time.

  Blog Date 4 June, 2020

• Coronavirus: the new vision for dentistry in Wales

  Tom Bysouth, Chair WGDPC discusses the Welsh Government’s unveiled plans for dentistry.

  Blog Date 22 May, 2020

• Coronavirus: Progress and urgent dental centres in Wales

  Dr David Johnson reflects on the progress made on Urgent Dental Centres and the response of dentistry in Wales to COVID-19.

  Blog Date 16 April, 2020

• Coronavirus: Recent progress on service funding and Urgent Dental Centres in Wales

  In his second blog on the Welsh response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tom Bysouth discusses the latest measures to support dental workers in Wales, from financial strategies to guidance on PPE.

  Blog Date 9 April, 2020

• Coronavirus: Progress made for dentists in Wales

  Tom Bysouth, Chair of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, updates us on the work being done to support dentists in Wales during the COVID-19 outbreak.

  Blog Date 2 April, 2020

• COVID-19: Updates from Wales

  Dr Caroline Seddon, Director of BDA Wales, details the Welsh response to the challenges of COVID-19.

  Blog Date 19 March, 2020

• Fairer uplifts for dentists needed to solve the recruitment crisis in Wales

  Tom Bysouth has made the case for fairer uplifts for dentists' pay in Wales and called for immediate action on the recruitment and retention crisis.

  Blog Date 5 March, 2020

• What I wish I'd known about buying an NHS dental practice...

  Lauren Harrhy bought a mixed NHS dental practice two years ago in Wales. Here's what she wish she knew before taking the plunge...

  Blog Date 27 January, 2020