HEIW supports the delivery of first dental training unit in north Wales

North Wales will soon be having its very own dental training unit thanks to a collaboration between Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) and Welsh Government.

The new facility, planned to be built in Bangor, will provide localised training for dental team members and is hoped to boost the number of highly skilled dentists and dental care professionals practicing in the region.

Once established, the unit will offer training ranging from foundation year, right through to core training and on into speciality. It will also provide dentists already practicing in the region with the opportunity to upskill within their local area.

Kirstie Moons, Associate Director for Dental Team Workforce Planning and Development at HEIW said “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting project, recognising the need for a sustainable skilled dental workforce in the area.

“We have extensive experience of collaborating on similar projects in other Health Boards and will be bringing this expertise to the project to ensure we meet the needs of partners, professionals and patients.”

A shortfall in access to dentistry services in north Wales has led to difficulties recruiting and retaining dental care professionals, resulting in the closure of a number of practices. This development is part of wider plans by BCUHB to improve access to dentistry services across the whole north Wales region.