North Wales local authorities have welcomed the Welsh Government’s plan to establish a new Dental Academy in North Wales.

With current services failing to address the waiting times encountered by patients, there have been calls for more dental services in North Wales to tackle the problem.

In response to calls for greater dental care services in the region, the Minister for Health and Social Services, Eluned Morgan MS, confirmed that a new North Wales Dental Academy will be established in Bangor.

This flagship practice is expected to treat between 10,000 and 12,000 patients annually.

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Care, said:

“I am delighted to see this important investment here in Gwynedd and look forward to seeing the academy take shape.

“We know that finding a dentist locally can be a challenge and hope that this welcome development will help to provide more qualified dentists for the Gwynedd area.

“As a Council, we will continue to work closely with our partners at the health board as they improve access to dentistry services across the area.”

Janet Finch-Saunders, MS for Aberconwy, who had campaigned for greater funding into dental service, said: “Last summer The British Dental Association warned that shortfalls in the NHS budget for dentistry has made it difficult for practice owners to keep their books balanced and to recruit.

“I am delighted to see that the Welsh Government is finally listening to calls to take action on this matter. I hope that the opening of a North Wales Dental Academy, to treat patients and providing training opportunities in North Wales, will help to alleviate the growing backlog of NHS dental appointments across the region.

“It is clear that further work must be done to continue to support dentistry across North Wales to meet the demand for services.

“I strongly believe that this must be done through a multi-pronged approach, including working directly with BCUHB, private dental practices and in enhancing the area’s attractiveness to recruit and retain dental clinicians.”

Peter Greensmith, Acting Assistant Director North Wales Dental Service at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said:

"A tendering exercise was carried out in 2021 to find a partner to deliver the Dental Practice and Academy in Bangor. The process was successful and we are working with our partner to mobilise the service, to begin delivery in Autumn 2022. The practice will be located on the High Street in Bangor.

"All members of the public will be eligible to receive treatment from the practice at the academy. The academy will be open 6 days a week with extended hours to enable access."