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Welsh Assembly Government | Treatment for 12,000 patients at ne... Page 1 of 2

Treatment for 12,000 patients at new dentist

A new dental practice offering NHS care for 12,000 patients in Llanelli was officially opened b Minister for Health and Social Services Dr Brian Gibbons today [Thursday 8 February 2007].

The Mill Lane surgery is situated in Llanelli town centre and Local Health Board received funding towards its development from the Welsh Assembly Government. The dental centre has four dentists at present and a recruitment exercise for a fifth dentist is presently underway. The Centre also has a branch surgery in which opened in November 2006 creating additional capacity for 1,900 patients.

Carmarthenshire Local Health Board commissioned Integrated Dental Holdings (IDH) to deliver NHS dental services at the new practice in a Personal Dental Services agreement.

Carmarthenshire and LHBs funded a similar practice operated by IDH in Whitland, which was officially opened in July last year, providing 12,000 places .

The Minister said:

This practice provides an essential service for Llanelli and the surrounding areas.

This is a fine example of what can be delivered following the Welsh Assembly Government’s additional investment of £30m in NHS dentistry in this financial year.

Our most recent figures show that 1,122 dentists are now providing treatment in compared with 975 dentists in 1999. The PDS contract benefits NHS dentists and patients alike. This new way of working includes a greater focus on preventative and quality treatment, and a guaranteed income for dentists who commit to working in the NHS.

Dentists have more time to spend on aspects of care such as prevention of dental and oral disease and can tailor care to meet an individual’s need. This will lead to check-ups taking place at intervals determined by the individual patient’s clinical need rather than a standard six month check up cycle.

Carmarthenshire LHB must be recognised for their achievements and continuing work to improve access. They have commissioned 25,000 new places during the last year, predominantly in new practices like this one in Mill Lane, Whitland and . Carmarthenshire LHB are also increasing capacity in the Upper Amman Valley, assistin an existing practice to expand in , and providing domiciliary services.

I would also like to encourage current patients to ensure that they attend appointments o contact the practice if they cannot attend. New practices can experience a higher percentage of missed appointments and this can have a negative impact on the speed a

http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/080207treatmen... 12/02/2007 Welsh Assembly Government | Treatment for 12,000 patients at ne... Page 2 of 2

which other patients are able to be seen.

Thursday 8 February 2007

http://new.wales.gov.uk/news/presreleasearchive/080207treatmen... 12/02/2007