NHS overview

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The NHS system is broadly similar to that in England with the work of the Primary Care Trust or NHS Trust (familiar in England) being performed by the Local Health Boards (LHBs). The commissioning of services for dentistry is the responsibility of LHBs who do so according to the needs of their populations.

The National Assembly for Wales makes the NHS contract regulations which are broadly similar to those in England; with the exception that the patient charges are lower. For a dentist to be in a position to provide dental services under the NHS contract his or her name must be included in a dental performers list for a Local Health Board in Wales.

Wales has its own chief dental officer who helps guide and inform the work of the Welsh Assembly Government.

The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) is responsible for providing Local Health Boards (LHBs) in Wales with modern on-line payment systems for dentistry. The Dental Practice Division also provides dental health and financial information.

The Dental Reference Service within the NHSBSA supports the LHBs in their role as local service commissioners.

The NHS complaints procedure in Wales has two stages:

1.  Local resolution, including conciliation
2.  Public Services Ombudsman.

The Private Dentistry (Wales) Regulations 2008 came into force on 1 January 2009. These Regulations require dental practitioners in Wales, who provide any non-NHS dental treatment, to register with Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW) under the Care Standards Act 2000. This requirement is additional to any NHS Performers List obligations.

Civil Law in England applies equally in Wales. Dental Protection retains solicitors in England and Wales who are instructed to act on behalf of a member if the allegations being made may be investigated in a Court or in a forum such as the GDC.