A Town Council is celebrating news that funding has been secured to improve dental provision for the community.
Llandrindod Wells Town Council has confirmed that Powys Teaching Health Board (PHTB) has been successful in gaining Welsh Government support to enable a further fully-funded NHS dentist chair in the town.
The news of the funding was reported to Llandrindod Wells Town Council at its meeting on March 15, when the council expressed their delight at achieving a positive result as instigators of the project.
The issue of dental services was first brought to the Council’s attention by Cllr Jamie Jones, before the Town Council undertook a survey of residents which was circulated throughout Powys.
The results from the survey provided evidence of people’s major difficulties in securing NHS dental services in the town. These findings were then collated by the project lead Cllr Keith Brelstaff, who has continued to work with Jane Dodds MS and PTHB on the project.
Securing the finance represents positive news for the town, and the challenge now is to ensure that with the tender having gone out, the town can attract excellent candidates to fill the vacancy.
The news comes after Jane Dodds handed in a report on dental care provision in Mid & West Wales to the Welsh Health Minister Eluned Morgan.
The report specifically highlighted Knighton and Llandrindod Wells as areas of deep concern with waiting times, the inability to register with an NHS dentist, and patients having to travel long distances to access dental care stated as the major problems.
In some cases mentioned in the report, Powys residents have been unable to get an appointment for three years despite having a broken tooth.
Jane Dodds said: “I am really pleased to see this announcement from the Welsh Government today which comes on the back of persistent efforts by Llandrindod Town Council and myself.
“I was happy to hear from the Health Minster Eluned Morgan when I handed my report over last week that she will continue to work on the issue and consider the findings and recommendations of my report.
“Good dental care is absolutely vital and we cannot go on with large parts of Mid & West Wales unable to access the services they deserve.”