Contract reform in Wales: Understanding the proposed 2026 dental model

We support reform in principle, but the proposed 2026 General Dental Service contract model for Wales risks worsening access, morale, and outcomes. There are many elements that need to change. This was clear from dentists’ opinions in our survey.

In ongoing discussions with the Welsh Government, we continue to represent your interests and provide you with the information you need to understand what the contract proposal will mean for you.

The contract proposals were consulted on until 19 June 2025. We submitted a formal response and the Government announced the results of the consultation in the last week of September but did not release details of the contract.

Implementation and task and finish groups are meeting regularly to consider the contract and provide you with detailed guidance.

We will keep you up to date every step of the way with further developments.

What it means for you

We have outlined our views on the proposed contract, which were included in our formal response.

Wales contract reform: Scoring the proposal

A series of recommendations of what would be required for us to fully support a new GDS contract in Wales.

New Welsh GDS contract: Segmentation and fee structure explained

A look inside the new Welsh contract model and fee structure.

Shaping guidance on the new Welsh dental contract

Find out how guidance on the Welsh dental contract is being shaped.

Related events

Event Tuesday 1 Jan 1901

Contract reform in Wales part 1 (webinar recording)

Member only access: A recording from 11 November when dentists from the negotiation team shared their insights about how the contract model measures up to expectations from the negotiations, and what the outcomes will mean for individual practices.

Event in 19 days

Webinar: GDS Contract reform in Wales (Dec)

In this live webinar on Tuesday 9 December the panel of dentists who made up the contract negotiation team will discuss the changes to the GDS Contract in Wales and respond to members' questions.