A successful roundtable event has marked the launch of the BDA Cymru Vision Paper for the Community Dental Service (CDS) in Wales, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen services for some of the nation’s most vulnerable patients.
The event, hosted by Jane Dodds MS, brought together a wide range of stakeholders from dentistry, health, charities, and the third sector. Attendees included representatives from Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Public Health Wales, Llais, Mencap, Learning Disabilities Wales, The Wallich, and the Chief Dental Officer’s office. Several Members of the Senedd also attended, underlining strong political interest in the future of the CDS.
A vital service under pressure
Opening the discussion, Jane Dodds MS praised the professionalism and dedication of the CDS workforce, acknowledging the pressures faced in recent years and reaffirming her commitment to supporting the service.
Manolis Roditakis, Chair of the Welsh Committee for Community Dentistry, spoke of the CDS’s unique role in caring for patients with complex needs, including people with disabilities, underlying health conditions, or social vulnerabilities. He drew attention to workforce shortages, underused facilities, and growing demand, stressing the need for closer partnership working to secure the service’s future.
Future-focused solutions
Recruitment and retention emerged as a top priority, with delegates recognising the need for targeted campaigns, graduate pathways, and leadership opportunities. HEIW confirmed that work is underway to improve workforce data and strengthen retention. Attendees stressed that values such as compassion and holistic care must remain central to recruitment efforts.
Improving access and reducing waiting lists were also major themes. Stakeholders pointed to limited general anaesthetic theatre sessions, inappropriate referrals, and wider General Dental Service capacity challenges. Solutions discussed included expanding capacity, streamlining referral pathways, greater use of digital tools, and ensuring CDS resources are focused on core patient groups. Prevention schemes, such as Designed to Smile, were highlighted as key to reducing long-term demand.
Staff wellbeing remains a pressing concern. Low morale and a lack of empathetic leadership posed risks to the sustainability of the service. Delegates called for more proactive support from health boards, better communication, and a commitment to compassionate leadership.
Shared commitment
The event underlined a clear, shared commitment from across dentistry, politics, health, and the voluntary sector to ensure the CDS in Wales is supported. BDA Cymru will continue to work with Welsh government and parties in the third sector to ensure that the CDS can continue their important work.
