AN issue that has felt rather long in the tooth for Llandrindod Wells residents finally looks to be over after the local health board announced a new contract for NHS dental provision in the town.

The long-awaited news was announced earlier this week, with the NHS taking over the former MyDentist premises on Temple Street and set to offer an expanded NHS dental service from December.

“We are delighted to announce a new contract for the provision of NHS dental services has been awarded in Llandrindod Wells,” said Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) in a statement on its website.

“They are taking over the former MyDentist premises and will begin to offer an expanded NHS dental service from December 2022.

“NHS dental appointments are being offered as follows: People who have received NHS dental services from the former MyDentist practice in Llandrindod Wells in the last two years will be contacted by the practice in due course to attend for an appointment.

“People in the Llandrindod Wells area who do not have an NHS dentist and who have contacted the Powys dental helpline will receive an appointment. Please do not contact the dental practice direct for appointments.

“Please accept our apologies that there is currently a waiting list for NHS dental services in the area and it will take some time to offer appointments to everyone on the current waiting list.”

The news will have felt like a long time coming for spa town residents, who thought back in March of this year that was going to be an imminent resolution to the long-standing issue.

Llandrindod Wells Town Council had created a survey in January 2020 about dental provision within Powys and was part of a campaign for improved provision within the county.

The health board said in March it had been successful in gaining Welsh Government support to enable a further fully-funded NHS dentist chair in Llandrindod.

However, plans stalled and a public meeting was held at the end of October by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, with numerous residents complaining that, despite having lived in the town for years, they could not get access to an NHS dentist.

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“Good news. We are getting an NHS Dentist in Llandrindod,” said town councillor Jeremy Andrews on Facebook.

“However, there will be a waiting list for those not already with an NHS dentist but anyone who was previously seen at the MyDentist will be contacted for an appointment.”

County councillor Pete Roberts added: “Excellent news today from PTHB with the announcement of the letting of a new dental contract in town.

“Well done to the town council for the research that was key to proving the need and Jane Dodds MS for her support to the joint group between town and county councillors to make sure the health board listened.”

If you live in Powys, or you are registered with a GP in Powys, and you need help finding a general dental practitioner, call the Powys dental helpline on 01686 252 808.

The PTHB statement continued: “Our frontline staff who provide the dental helpline have at times experienced verbal abuse.

“We would encourage anyone calling the helpline to please be kind as the team is working very hard to deal with your enquiries.

“If you have a dental emergency and you do not have a general dental practitioner, please call NHS 111. They will assess your condition and, if appropriate, provide you with a code to refer you to a local emergency dental service.

“If you have toothache or other dental issues you can also find useful information to help you manage your condition on the NHS 111 Wales website at www.111.wales.nhs.uk.”