Patients could be moved around dental surgeries under proposed changes to the system.

Instead of having a regular surgery, the changes could see people offered treatment at any practice within their health board area, with check-ups for those with healthy teeth pushed to every 18 to 24 months.

The Welsh government said the proposals would improve access to dental services, particularly for those most in need.

But the British Dental Association (BDA) said the opposite could happen and more patients may be forced to go private.

The biggest change would see all patients over 18 placed onto a central waiting list, called the Dental Access Portal (DAP).

They would then be allocated a surgery, which could be anywhere within the health board area.

If they need treatment, they would remain with that surgery until it is complete and beyond, if they needed close monitoring.

If or when teeth are healthy, patients would be returned to the central portal and would be recalled for a check-up in 18 to 24 months wherever there is space.

Children would be assessed under the plans but stay at the first surgery they are allocated.

Some charges for patients would also change – with check-ups going up from £20 to £24.75 but a single crown going down from £260 to £239.15.