Long-planned dental school at the UEA could soon get the go-ahead
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock's has told MPs he's "close" to being able to tell the body that allocates dental training places how many will be available in 2027.
A government commitment to unlock new dental training places, where the University of East Anglia (UEA) is keen to apply, could soon move forward after months of delays.
In the House of Commons, the Minister of State for Care confirmed that a ministerial direction is being prepared to allow the Office for Students to adjust funding limits and open the competition for new positions, with advice expected later this week.
Just one NHS dentist is available for every 3,177 people in the region, according to Healthwatch Norfolk, which also reports that 60% of patients seeking NHS dental care in the past two years were unable to secure an appointment.
The General Dental Council approved UEA to deliver dental training in 2024, with plans to provide 40 undergraduate places annually. However, the competition for new places cannot begin until the ministerial direction is issued.
Research shows that a third of UEA medical graduates remain in the area after completing their studies, emphasising the value of local training in building a long-term dental workforce for Norfolk.
During questions in Parliament, James Wild MP urged the Minister to act swiftly:
“The Minister told the Health and Social Care Committee that the spending envelope for dentistry would be confirmed by the end of the summer at the latest. Is the Office for Students still waiting for a ministerial direction to launch that competition for new places, so that UEA can bid along with others and so that we can get training places in Norfolk for the first time?”
The Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, replied:
“The hon. Gentleman is right: it is the Government's responsibility to give a steer to the Office for Students, and we are very close to being able to put that together. I am expecting some advice from my officials later in the week, and I shall be happy to keep the hon. Gentleman updated on further progress.”