Siân has tabled a motion to tackle the current crisis in NHS dental services in north Wales, focusing specifically on Arfon, where only 36.6 per cent of the population can get access to an NHS dentist. This is the lowest percentage in Wales.
This was the first time the Senedd voted on a motion which would lead to training dentists in Bangor. Siân made the case to fellow members of the Senedd based on evidence and need.
The motion draws attention to the ‘Filling the Gaps’ report, released in 2024. The report offers a case for establishing a dental school in Bangor, which would play a key role in tackling the shortage of dental care in the region.
The motion has recognised that dental services in Arfon are in a critical situation, with many patients, including children and elderly people, being adversely affected. It also stated that a lack of access to dentists adds pressure on local hospital emergency departments, leading to higher costs and longer waiting times.
According to Siân, a new dental school would not only train more dentists locally but also help retain a dental workforce in the region. She has also claimed the school would provide new jobs, attract investment to the local economy, and support Bangor as a centre of excellence in the field of health alongside the medical school.
Siân said, "The dental crisis in Arfon has a serious impact on people in our communities. Establishing a dental school in Bangor not only makes economic sense but also offers a sustainable solution to a chronic problem. It's time for the Welsh government to act."