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Funding row over dental 'deficit' Funding row over dental 'deficit'
(about 4 hours later)
A row has broken out over claims that millions of pounds for dentists in Wales has not been spent. A row has broken out over claims that millions of pounds for dentistry in Wales has not been spent.
The British Dental Association (BDA) said it amounted to £21.7m allocated at the start of the financial year.The British Dental Association (BDA) said it amounted to £21.7m allocated at the start of the financial year.
But the assembly government said it "does not recognise" the figures, and "significant investment" had made "a noticeable difference".But the assembly government said it "does not recognise" the figures, and "significant investment" had made "a noticeable difference".
It said problems were now confined to specific areas including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Anglesey.It said problems were now confined to specific areas including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Anglesey.
Stuart Geddes, the BDA's Welsh director, the deficit was an underspend for the first year of a new dental contract, which he said was due to "unrealistic" targets set by local health boards. Stuart Geddes, the BDA's Welsh director, said the deficit was an underspend for the first year of a new dental contract, which he said was due to "unrealistic" targets set by local health boards.
"It would be difficult for dentists who have patients with high needs - which mean they could require lots of work - to meet their targets," he said."It would be difficult for dentists who have patients with high needs - which mean they could require lots of work - to meet their targets," he said.
New dental practices have opened in recent months in Chepstow, Llanelli, Whitland, Anglesey, Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest Welsh Assembly GovernmentNew dental practices have opened in recent months in Chepstow, Llanelli, Whitland, Anglesey, Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest Welsh Assembly Government
Mr Geddes said the figures were provisional but had been collated from statistics from the assembly's website and numbers obtained from local health boards using the Freedom of Information Act.Mr Geddes said the figures were provisional but had been collated from statistics from the assembly's website and numbers obtained from local health boards using the Freedom of Information Act.
He said the deficit was likely to come down but was unlikely to disappear completely.He said the deficit was likely to come down but was unlikely to disappear completely.
"There will be a further end-of-year adjustment, but I am not sure it will be enough to completely eradicate that deficit," he said."There will be a further end-of-year adjustment, but I am not sure it will be enough to completely eradicate that deficit," he said.
'New practices''New practices'
However, an assembly government spokesperson said it did not recognise the figures.However, an assembly government spokesperson said it did not recognise the figures.
"Problems are now confined to a very few areas including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Anglesey," said the spokesperson."Problems are now confined to a very few areas including Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Anglesey," said the spokesperson.
"Work goes on to improve the position in these areas and we expect further progress over the next few months so that everyone in Wales who wants access to a NHS dentist will be able to get one."Work goes on to improve the position in these areas and we expect further progress over the next few months so that everyone in Wales who wants access to a NHS dentist will be able to get one.
"New dental practices have opened in recent months in Chepstow, Llanelli, Whitland, Anglesey, Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest, with many others expanding the number of NHS patients they are taking on helping to improve dental provision.""New dental practices have opened in recent months in Chepstow, Llanelli, Whitland, Anglesey, Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest, with many others expanding the number of NHS patients they are taking on helping to improve dental provision."