10,000 new dental places announced for Wales' most deprived areas

Some of the most deprived parts of Wales will get 10,000 more dental places, the Health Secretary has announced today.

The additional places are a part of a £1.3 million investment to create improved NHS dental services across Wales, particularly specialist services for children.

Tooth decay remains the leading reason for children being admitted to hospital.

But new investment will see consultant and specialist appointments work with community and hospital based services already in place, to increase accessibility in the areas where children have the highest need.

As a results, up to 3,000 additional patients per year are expected to access specialist paediatric dentistry services, easing waiting times.

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said the investment is to ensure 'the needs of the most vulnerable children are met'.

However, the announcement has been met with criticism by The British Dental Association who have accused the Welsh Government of 'creative accounting' which does not 'constitute new investment'.

The BDA say the money pledged to expand dental services represents only one quarter of the sum taken out of the dental budget each year and are calling for all the allocated money to be used.