Health, Wellbeing and Local Government Committee

Orthodontic Services in Wales

The Committee has agreed to undertake an Inquiry into orthodontic provision in Wales.

Terms of Reference

To inquire into the provision of appropriate orthodontic care in Wales including:

• The impact of the new dental contract on the provision of orthodontic care, assuring sufficient geographical coverage and access for patients to the most appropriate care.

• Consideration of how effective and robust the co-ordination of orthodontic treatment across the various orthodontic providers is in Wales; including, hospital orthodontic departments, specialist orthodontic practices, general dental practices and community dental clinics.

• The effectiveness of working relationships between orthodontic practices and Local Health Boards in the management of local orthodontic provision, especially in the context of NHS restructuring.

• Consideration of the role of local University teaching departments in ensuring the highest standard of orthodontic care is provided by the local orthodontic workforce.

• The Welsh Government’s short, medium and long-term strategies with regard to maintenance and development of orthodontic provision, specifically dealing with the backlog of patients currently in the system and meeting future patients needs.

• Arrangements for monitoring standards of delivery and outcomes of care within the NHS and the independent sector.