Written question WQ98477

Welsh Government officials are working closely with representatives from health boards and the dental profession through an established and well-functioning implementation group. This group will play a key role in monitoring the impact of the new contract arrangements.

A range of actions have been put in place to ensure safe implementation and maintain accountability:

• Clear operational guidance about care package delivery was published in November 2025 in the form of a series of vignettes, which outline exemplar scenarios linked to national clinical guidance. We will keep this updated.

• A series of webinars and Q&A updates have been provided ahead of the go live date. We will maintain this engagement through the first six months.

• A proportionate, risk-based assurance approach has been adopted with the NHS Business Services Authority. We will maintain close monitoring to identify any data/recording errors to enable health boards to provide directed support. If persistent issues arise, health boards will prioritise remedial action plans and targeted support.

• Transparent practice-level reporting and feedback loops have been enabled so providers can track delivery against plan and escalate operational hurdles early.

• Joint working with local dental committees and the dental profession, including a structured review at six and 12 months to identify any technical refinements. This will form part of the evaluation of the new contract.