The Welsh NHS contract has changed.

If you own a dental practice in Wales, are considering buying one, expanding, or planning your exit in the next 5–10 years, the new NHS dental contract will impact your business.

The current systems will be replaced with one based on clinical need. Patients with good oral health who currently attend regularly will be seen less often under the NHS, with recall intervals potentially extended to 18–24 months, creating greater availability for those with higher needs.

While the reforms aim to improve fairness and access, both the public and dental professionals have raised concerns about potential unintended impacts on service quality and practice sustainability. Many patients and dentists emphasise the importance of preventative care, which is difficult to achieve with check-ups only every two years.

These changes don’t just affect your patients. They could mean increased clinical time for more complex cases, reduced practice goodwill value, and potential damage to patient trust and continuity of care.