Written question WQ93231

Undergraduate dental student numbers are commissioned directly between the Welsh Government and the School of Dentistry at Cardiff University. There is no arbitrary cap on numbers, as numbers are commissioned based on capacity within the system to deliver high-quality undergraduate education for the students.

The current number of student places for undergraduate education in dentistry at Cardiff University is 74 per year – this enables students to have the best opportunity to develop their academic knowledge, confidence and clinical experience and skills, ensuring an excellent student experience and enabling students to continue to pursue their chosen careers following graduation.

In terms of postgraduate university places, these are funded by the Welsh Government via the Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW) Education and Training Commissioning Plan and are dependent on both the capacity to provide training and available funding.

Current training posts available:

Training programme

Number of training posts in 2024-25

Dental foundation training

74

Dental core training

67

Dental specialty training

38

Dental foundation training: The number of dental foundation training posts is determined through the allocated funding from the Welsh Government and aligns with the output from Cardiff University Dental School.

Dental core training: Expansion of certain dental services in some health boards may provide an opportunity for additional trainees to undertake dental core training in the future providing appropriate support and supervision are in place.

Dental specialty training: Places in dental specialty training increased by 50% in 2023 with the largest investment from the Welsh Government in this training programme to date.