More than 4,400 people in Ceredigion are waiting for an NHS dentist, with patients facing an average wait of around two years, according to figures obtained from Hywel Dda University Health Board.

The figures come as the health board forecasts that approximately £5.2 million of its dental budget will remain unspent during the current financial year, despite widespread difficulties accessing NHS treatment.

Information supplied to the Pembrokeshire Herald reveals that 4,450 people are waiting to access NHS dental services in Ceredigion, with an average waiting time of approximately 24 months.

Across the health board's three counties of Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire, 16,441 people are waiting for treatment.

The figures represent people seeking access to routine NHS dentistry, rather than emergency dental appointments.

The health board has attributed its anticipated underspend to limited capacity among dental providers and difficulties commissioning additional services.

The latest £5.2 million forecast follows an earlier estimate of £5.1 million contained in financial papers presented to the board's Finance and Performance Committee in October.

Correspondence from chief executive Professor Phil Kloer, dated 13 October, revealed that further commitments against the dental funding allocation had been paused pending discussions with the Welsh Government.

However, the health board has subsequently stated that no decision has been made to stop future spending.

Andrew Carruthers, the board's chief operating officer, acknowledged the difficulties facing patients across west Wales and said work was continuing to improve access.

The health board has confirmed that two new NHS dental contracts covering Pembrokeshire and north Ceredigion have been awarded.

However, the successful providers are still seeking suitable premises, meaning neither service has a confirmed opening date.

The contracts were originally outlined in July 2025 as part of efforts to improve access in areas identified as having particularly poor NHS dental provision.

The health board has also developed a wider investment plan covering routine dental appointments, orthodontic services for children and young people, specialist oral surgery and dental care provided in patients' homes.

These proposals remain subject to agreement.

Officials are additionally exploring whether some of the unspent funding could support one-off projects to reduce waiting lists during 2026/27.

The situation has prompted criticism from Conservative Senedd Member for Ceredigion Penfro, Paul Davies.

Speaking in the Senedd on 3 November, Mr Davies called for a Welsh Government statement explaining the underspend and the steps being taken to improve access.

He questioned how substantial sums could remain unspent when patients throughout west Wales continued to struggle to find NHS dentists.

Mr Davies has also urged residents to share their experiences of lengthy waiting times and the cost of seeking private treatment.

The health board has stressed that the £5.2 million represents a projected underspend rather than money already returned to the Welsh Government.

No confirmation has been provided that any of the funding has been reclaimed.

Meanwhile, patients in Ceredigion remain without a confirmed timetable for when the proposed additional NHS dental services will become available.