James Wild MP has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Health and Social Care increasing the maximum number of fundable dental school places from 809 to 859 with new dental schools being prioritised for places.
Crucially for Norfolk, the government has also instructed the Office for Students to prioritise this expansion for new dental schools that do not currently receive government funding such as at UEA. This means the upcoming bidding process for training places will focus on areas without existing training facilities, helping to address shortages in ‘dental deserts’ including in Norfolk.
James Wild MP has repeatedly raised the case for dental training at the University of East Anglia with ministers, at Health Questions, debates, and correspondence with ministers in calling for rapid action to improve access to NHS dentistry across the county. The Minister acknowledged his “longstanding campaigning to improve NHS dentistry for people in North West Norfolk”.
Commenting, James Wild MP said:
“I welcome this announcement which is an important step forward in the campaign to bring dental training to Norfolk. I have long supported the case for a dental school at UEA and the decision to prioritise new providers creates a significant opportunity for UEA.”
“I will continue working with the university and other MPs as it engages with the Office for Students so the strongest possible case is made to secure these places and help build the NHS dental workforce our area needs.”
A dental school at UEA would help train more dentists locally and expand dental services for residents across Norfolk and the wider East of England.
