Powys Councillors Endorse Dental School Initiative for Mid Wales

A proposal aimed at establishing a dental training school at Aberystwyth University has received strong support from Powys County Councillors. This initiative seeks to address the ongoing shortage of dental professionals in mid Wales. During a council meeting on December 4, 2023, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan, leader of the Plaid Cymru group, emphasized the urgent need for more dentists in the region, stating, “We just haven’t got enough dentists in mid Wales and this is a practical way of answering the problem.”

The plan involves a joint initiative between Aberystwyth University and Bangor University, which aims to collaborate with the Welsh Government to develop a comprehensive dental training school. Cllr Vaughan urged the council to support this campaign, asserting that it could provide significant benefits for the entire mid Wales community.

Cllr Joy Jones highlighted the impact of the dental shortage on local residents, saying, “NHS dentists have become very scarce and has led to a lot of people not receiving the care they should be.” Many individuals have reportedly sought treatment across the border due to the lack of accessible NHS dentistry services, often suffering from prolonged pain and dental issues. She expressed hope that the proposed training school could help alleviate these challenges by encouraging newly trained dentists to remain in the area.

The collaborative effort between Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities aims to create new dental training opportunities, addressing the pressing need for enhanced dental education and services in northern and mid Wales. According to the universities, this initiative emphasizes the importance of primary and community dental care in rural and semi-rural areas, while also considering the needs of Welsh-speaking communities.

Professor Iain Barber, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Sciences at Aberystwyth University, expressed pride in the partnership. “There is a well-recognized longstanding shortage of dental professionals in our local communities,” he stated. He noted the strong correlation between where medical students train and where they ultimately practice, suggesting that this new school could have a significant positive impact on local healthcare.

The proposal has now been submitted to the Welsh Government as part of a high-level plan to develop a comprehensive business case for further consideration. The initiative marks an important step in addressing the dental care needs of mid Wales residents and enhancing local healthcare services.