Shaping guidance on the new Welsh dental contract

The Welsh Government’s implementation Group and associated task and finish groups help to ensure that the changes to be brought in by the new 2026 GDS contract are communicated effectively and that practical issues in the contract changes are addressed on behalf of the profession.

Implementation group

The implementation group’s remit is to create resources that will provide you with detailed guidance on the new contract and its impact on dentists and practices.

The group meets weekly to review progress on these resources and on draft regulations. It provides confidential weekly updates to stakeholder groups, including the Welsh General Dental Practice Committee. Its ultimate role is to agree the best ways to share information with the profession and with patients.

Task and finish groups

Two task and finish groups have been set up to focus on specific areas of the new contract.

High needs group

This group is considering how the high-needs patient referral pathway will work in practice. The principle of a dedicated pathway for high-needs patients will remain, but the group is working with the NHS and the profession to develop the operational details and referral criteria.

Contract group

This group is reviewing how the 5% of contract value allocated for local priorities will be used. The priorities for allocation that the group are discussing include audit and quality assurance, annual self-assessment, support for high-needs patients, and workforce retention.

Why these groups are important

These groups play a vital role in shaping practical guidance and ensuring that the profession has clarity on how the new contract will work.