Dental Reform Programme for Wales
The Dental Reform Programme for Wales is sponsored by and hosted within the Welsh Government, there is a multistakeholder Dental Strategic Oversight Group (DSOG) that oversees the Dental Reform Programme. Public Health Wales provides dental public health advice and essential programme management support to the reform programme.
The overarching strategic objectives of the Dental Reform Programme are:
- Improve population health, oral health and wellbeing through a greater focus on prevention and addressing causes of inequalities
- Improve access, address inequities in access, experience and outcomes of dental care
- Enrich the wellbeing and engagement of the dental workforce and ensure workforce capacity and capability is reviewed regularly to meet the healthcare (including secondary prevention) needs of the population
- Increase the value achieved from funding of dental services and programmes
- Ensure quality, safety and improvement systems are in place for dentistry and oral health
These are covered in five workstreams:
Workstream 1: Contract Monitoring
The objective is to monitor the implementation of the new GDS Dental Contract and develop a national assurance framework. The workstream will ensure a national approach to patient and professional communications, monitor patient access to inform service planning, and utilise data to improve access, quality, equity and commissioning of NHS dental services in Wales.
Workstream 2: Service Redesign and Innovation
The objective is to manage the redesign and integration of dental services across Wales while ensuring care is planned and delivered according to population need.
The workstream will support the implementation of the Dental Reform Programme for Wales, including the new General Dental Services contract. It will consider the full range of NHS dental services and care pathways.
Its aim is to improve access, quality, efficiency and equity through integrated service planning, commissioning and delivery, supported by data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
Workstream 3: Workforce, Training and Skill mix
The objective is to ensure a sustainable, skilled and adaptable dental workforce that can meet the future needs of the population of Wales.
The workstream will address workforce shortages, improve access to care, maximise the contribution of the wider dental team, and support workforce development through education, training, recruitment and retention initiatives.
Workstream 4: Population Health, Prevention and Inequalities
The objective is to provide strategic leadership for population oral health, prevention and reducing inequalities as part of the Dental System Reform Programme in Wales.
The workstream will promote a preventative, evidence-based and equitable approach to improving oral health outcomes, ensuring that resources, policies and services support those with the greatest need.
Its work will align with key Welsh legislation and strategic priorities, including A Healthier Wales, the Future Generations Act, the Duty of Quality and the Socio-economic Duty.
Workstream 5: Data, Digital and Intelligence
The objective is to ensure that Digital, Data and Intelligence capabilities support the planning, commissioning and delivery of equitable, needs-based dental services in Wales.
The workstream will improve the collection, integration and use of dental data to enable informed decision-making, monitor outcomes, support quality improvement, and identify opportunities to reduce inequalities in access and care.
It will align with wider NHS Wales digital developments and promote the use of digital innovation, research, evaluation and public engagement to improve oral health services.
Assessment of clinical and oral risk (ACORN)
Dental assessment (also commonly known as ‘dental check up’) in the 2026 General Dental Service (GDS) contract in Wales includes Assessment of Clinical and Oral Health Risks and Need (ACORN). Regular ACORN should facilitate dental team and patients to agree on a prevention focused personalised dental care plan which can include one or more Care Packages described in the 2026 GDS contract.
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