What plans are in place to address the staffing shortages in dentistry within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board?
Despite the difficult financial climate, we continue to invest in the sustainability of the NHS workforce. £283.126m was invested in 2024-25 to support education and training programmes for healthcare professionals in Wales.
Health Education and Improvement Wales continues to work with stakeholders to focus on the recruitment and retention of the dental workforce. A workforce plan for dentistry was published earlier this year.
Until recently, a regulatory issue prevented qualified dental therapists, hygienists and clinical dental technicians from opening and closing NHS courses of dental treatment. This issue has been resolved, enabling these professionals to play a full role in providing NHS care.
We know that trainees are more likely to stay where they complete their training. To support rural recruitment, HEIW has put in place a dental foundation training Welsh enhanced recruitment offer. All 15 available places have been filled including the nine in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.