Private dentistry in Wales set for tighter regulation

Private dentists in Wales will be subject to new regulations in the new year to ensure they provide safe, high quality services.

Dentists will be required to register with the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, which will inspect practices and have the power to act on any complaints.

Health minister Edwina Hart explained that the new regulations “will ensure that private dental treatments are regulated to the same high standards as NHS care”.

“It is important that there is uniformity of regulation between NHS and private care as many patients often choose to supplement their NHS care with private treatment, often from the same dental practice.”

The regulations are set to come into effect on January 1st 2009 and will encourage continuous improvement in the provision of private dentistry, according to Peter Higson, chief executive of Healthcare Inspectorate Wales.

However, Stuart Geddes, director of the British Dental Association for Wales, told the BBC that the regulations were unnecessary, insisting: “In general, the private practices are very, very well equipped and are really up to standard.”