National Assembly for Wales

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) the significant shortage of NHS dental services in north Wales, particularly in Arfon with only 36.6 per cent of the population able to receive treatment through the NHS, which is the lowest gambit in Wales;

b) the publication of "Filling the Gap", a report commissioned by Sian Gwenllian MS, which makes the case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor.

2. Believes:

a) that dental services in north Wales are in a state of emergency:

b) there is a severe shortage of NHS dentists in Arfon, leaving many patients, including children and vulnerable people, without proper access to basic dental care;

c) that the emergency departments of local hospitals are under additional pressure due to the lack of access to dentists, resulting in additional costs and waiting times;

d) that more dental training is needed;

e) that a significant number of students wishing to study dentistry are forced to leave Wales due to a lack of capacity in dental schools;

f) that a new  school of dentistry in Bangor could play a key role in training more dentists locally, offering a better chance of retaining the dental workforce in the region and providing essential services locally;

g) that the establishment of a school of dentistry in Bangor would provide quality new jobs and attract investment to the local economy, and boost Bangor as a centre of excellence in health, alongside the new medical school;

h) the school of dentistry could augment the provision of Welsh and bilingual dental services, improving access to health care for local Welsh-speaking communities.

3. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) consider the economic and public health case for establishing a school of dentistry in Bangor based on the key findings presented in the Fill the Gap report;

b) ensure collaboration between the Welsh Government, Bangor University, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and other relevant organisations to develop a feasibility plan for the establishment of the school of dentistry; and

c) invest strategically to establish the school of dentistry as part of wider efforts to improve access to health services in the region and to address the ongoing crisis regarding dental provision in Wales.