Sir, I wish to express my grave concerns about the restriction on orthodontic treatment on malocclusions in children due to the new NHS dental contract.

Young patients who have been on a waiting list of up to two years now find that when they see the orthodontist, they and their parents are told that they no longer can have their teeth straightened on the NHS. These are children who may have 5 mm anterior overjets or malaligned upper or lower anterior teeth. These children may as a result of non-treatment suffer early trauma to upper anterior teeth, embarrassment about their appearance and also subject these young people to a lifetime of periodontal treatment when lower anteriors are overcrowded.

Many parents are unable to fund private orthodontic treatment.

I am sending a copy of this letter to the Welsh Assembly member for the area.