NHS dentistry in Wales is entering a period of transformation. With the new NHS dental contract set to come into force in April 2026, the Welsh Government is introducing the most significant reform of the General Dental Services contract in decades. This contract reform marks a shift from payments based on dental activity to a needs-based model that prioritises oral health, prevention, and improved dental access across Wales. It is a decisive moment for the dental workforce, practices, and patients, shaping the future of NHS dental care in Wales.
For dentists, practice managers, and the entire dental team, understanding these changes now is essential for navigating the transition, delivering high-quality NHS dental services, and promoting good oral health for NHS patients.
Why the Contract Reform Matters
Until now, dental practices in Wales have operated under the Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) system, which rewarded dental activity rather than outcomes. Routine six-month check-ups were standard, regardless of clinical need, which did not align effectively with modern health needs and prevention objectives.
The new Welsh NHS dental contract introduces a needs-based model, ensuring patients are seen according to their risk and oral health status rather than automatic scheduling. This approach supports continuity of care, allows new patients to be prioritised effectively, and ensures practices across Wales deliver high-quality NHS dental care.
2025–2026: The Transitional Year
Before the new dental contract for Wales fully begins, the Welsh Government has introduced a transition phase in 2025, including a 4% uplift to annual contract values. This temporary increase rewards practices for meeting specific compliance and quality measures, such as:
- Conducting structured urgent care reviews
- Completing antimicrobial audits and implementing improvements
- Managing missed appointments with formal policies
These steps aim to prepare dental practices for the new system, ensuring readiness for April 2026 and smoothing the shift to a needs-based model.
Key Changes in the 2026 Contract Reform
End of the UDA Model
Under the new Welsh NHS dental contract, practices will no longer be remunerated primarily based on dental activity. The traditional Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) model is replaced by a system where payments reflect patient oral health needs, focusing on prevention, risk management, and treatment complexity. This ensures that resources are directed to those who need care most, rather than being tied to routine volume-based activity.
Personalised Recall Intervals
Patients will now be scheduled for appointments based on individual risk and need, rather than automatic six-month recalls. High-risk patients will be seen more frequently, while low-risk patients will have longer intervals between check-ups, allowing dentists and the whole dental team to focus on urgent and preventive care where it matters most.
Continuity of Care
The reform places strong emphasis on maintaining long-term patient relationships. Patients will generally remain with their chosen dentist, enabling ongoing management of oral health, better treatment outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction. This continuity also supports preventive care strategies and encourages patients to engage more regularly with NHS dental services.
Revised Fee Structure
The new contract introduces changes to contract values, with higher base payments to support preventive and complex treatment. By linking remuneration to outcomes and patient need, the contract ensures financial sustainability for dental practices while incentivising high-quality care.
Transparent Patient Charges
Under the new system, patient charges will be clear and capped, ensuring fairness and predictability. This supports access to NHS dentistry for patients while providing practices with more certainty regarding revenue.
Operational Impact on Practices
Clinical Workflow
Dental practices will need to assess oral health needs for every patient and schedule appointments according to risk and need, rather than default intervals. Preventive care and early interventions will become central to daily operations, requiring a shift in how the dental team approaches patient management.
Administrative Processes
Strengthened audit, compliance, and reporting systems will become essential. Practices must conduct structured reviews, monitor urgent care provision, and track antimicrobial use. Administrative teams will play a key role in ensuring practices meet contractual obligations while supporting clinical staff in delivering high-quality care.
Patient Management
Effective patient communication will be critical. Practices must explain the new system, including recall schedules, patient charge caps, and continuity of care. Managing expectations for new patients and those previously unable to access care will be a priority, with an emphasis on fairness and transparency.
Financial Implications
The transition from activity-based payment to a needs-based contract affects financial planning. While the 2025 uplift supports practices during the transition, the longer-term model rewards quality and targeted care.
Practices may experience changes in income predictability, particularly as recall intervals become personalised. However, the revised fee structure, including patient charge caps, provides clarity and a framework for sustainable dental care in Wales. Some practices may explore hybrid NHS/private models to maintain financial stability, particularly those managing high patient demand or complex cases.
Improving Access Across Wales
A core aim of the reform is to improve access to NHS dentistry. By prioritising care based on health needs and prevention, patients with urgent or complex needs will be seen more promptly, while high-risk individuals will be seen more regularly. The system is designed to ensure equitable dental access across Wales, reducing the number of patients unable to access care and aligning treatment with oral health needs.
This approach is central to the vision of NHS dentistry for everyone, with preventive care and risk management at its heart.
Workforce Implications
For the dental workforce, the reforms present both opportunities and challenges. Practices will need sufficient numbers of dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, and therapists to deliver risk-based care. Optimising the skill mix of the whole dental team will be essential for success, and staff must be trained to manage preventive interventions, urgent care, and data capture requirements. Workforce readiness is a critical factor in ensuring the success of the reform in Wales.
Professional and Sector Response
The British Dental Association (BDA) and other dental organisations have engaged with the Welsh Government throughout the consultation process. While there is support for the move to a needs-based system, concerns remain regarding funding, workforce capacity, and practical implementation for smaller dental practices. Ongoing collaboration between the Welsh Government, local health boards, and dental professionals will be essential to ensure the new system meets its objectives.
Preparing Practices for April 2026
Early preparation is key. Practices should:
- Review recall and risk assessment processes to align with patient needs
- Strengthen audit, compliance, and reporting systems
- Train the whole dental team in preventive care, patient management, and workflow redesign.
- Communicate clearly with patients about the new contract, charge caps, and continuity of care
- Reassess financial models to ensure sustainability under the needs-based model
Proactive planning ensures practices can navigate the changes efficiently and continue to deliver high-quality NHS dental care.
Conclusion: Shaping the Future of NHS Dentistry in Wales
The Wales dental contract reform 2026 represents a step towards sustainable NHS dentistry. By focusing on oral health needs, prevention, and continuity of care, the reform aims to improve dental access, enhance patient outcomes, and provide a fairer system for practices across Wales.
With April 2026 approaching, the focus must be on readiness. Practices that act now will not only comply with the new NHS dental contract for Wales but will also be well-positioned to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care that meets the needs of everyone in the nation.
Review workflows, train your dental team, and ensure your practice is ready to embrace the new contract from day one.
Partner with Us to Navigate NHS Dental Reform
Preparing for the new NHS dental contract in Wales can be complex, from workforce planning to ensuring your whole dental team is ready for the shift to a needs-based model.
Verovian dental recruitment agency specialises in connecting practices with experienced dentists, dental nurses, hygienists, and therapists across Wales, helping you maintain continuity, improve dental access, and deliver high-quality NHS dental care. Let us support your practice in building a resilient, skilled team and thriving under the new dental contract for Wales. Contact us today to get started.
