'Desperate need' to be training new dentists

22,000 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE A CITY DENTIST

- By ALISON STEPHENSON

22,000 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY WAITING TO SEE A CITY DENTIST Peninsula Dental School students during training - MPs are calling for the number of dental training places to be increased

(UNIVERSITY OF PLYMOUTH)

PLYMOUTH'S three MPs met with a government health minister this week to press the case for more dental training places in the city.

Labour MP for Sutton and Devonport Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Moor View Fred Thomas and South West Devon Conservative MP Rebecca Smith are calling for a 25% uplift in dental training places at the Plymouth's Peninsula Dental School. They want to encourage dentists to stay in the south west and see access to dental care improved.

During a meeting with Stephen Kinnock, minister of state for care, the MPs highlighted the severe shortage of NHS dental provision in the city, where 22,000 residents remain on waiting lists and child oral health outcomes are among the worst in the country.

The dental school will shortly open a new £5 million city centre facility, designed to expand urgent care and train the next generation of dentists - the latest part of the health village being created in the city centre.