Dental representatives are calling for funding that covers both staff pay and rising practice costs, warning that financial pressures are undermining NHS dentistry in Wales.
Dan Cook and Katie Davis, vice-chairs of the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee, have outlined their priorities for negotiations with the Welsh Government over the 2026–27 General Dental Services contract funding increase.
Writing for the British Dental Association, they identify higher employment costs, inflation, regulatory requirements and workforce shortages as pressures on practices.
They argue that funding intended for pay awards must reach dental teams, with additional support for overheads. Otherwise, rising expenses can absorb headline increases before staff see improvements in pay.
The committee also wants funding calculations to reflect the actual costs of materials, equipment, staffing, energy and regulatory compliance. It says additional treatment commitments or administrative duties must come with the resources needed to deliver them.
Why it matters: Sustainable practice funding helps protect NHS dental provision. The negotiations could influence practices’ ability to retain staff and continue providing care. The statement sets out the profession’s negotiating priorities; it does not announce an agreed funding settlement or specific practice closures.
