Powys County Council has backed a proposal to train more local dentists in mid Wales, aiming to tackle a long-standing shortage of dental professionals.
At a council meeting on 4 December, Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Elwyn Vaughan called on the council to support a joint initiative by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities to establish a dental training school.
“We just haven’t got enough dentists in mid Wales, and this is a practical way of addressing the problem,” Cllr Vaughan said. He added that both universities had approached the Welsh Government to explore the creation of a dental training school.
Cllr Joy Jones highlighted the strain on patients, noting that many must travel across the border for treatment, often enduring long periods of pain. “By setting up a training school, hopefully some graduates will stay and fill the gap,” she said.
Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities are working with Cardiff University to develop an all-Wales approach to dental education. The plan involves creating dental education centres across north and mid Wales, with a focus on primary and community dental care, including services for Welsh speakers.
Professor Iain Barber, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sciences at Aberystwyth University, said the proposal could have a meaningful impact. “Evidence from the medical profession shows a strong link between where students train and where they choose to practice,” he said. The initiative also aims to expand access for underrepresented communities and Welsh-speaking applicants.
A high-level joint proposal has been submitted to the Welsh Government as the first step toward a full business case for approval.