Isle Of Wight Could Benefit From New Portsmouth Dental School, Says MP

The Isle of Wight could see improved access to NHS dentists after plans were announced to expand dental training in the Solent region.

Island MP Richard Quigley has welcomed a government decision to increase the number of funded dental school places in England.

The expansion will see the number of training places rise from 809 to 859, marking the first sustained growth in dental training capacity for nearly 20 years.

A key part of the plan is the creation of a new dentistry school in Portsmouth, which could eventually lead to satellite training and treatment facilities being set up on the Isle of Wight.

In a letter to the MP, Stephen Kinnock acknowledged Mr Quigley’s campaigning to improve access to dental services for Island residents.

Welcoming the news, Mr Quigley said:

“One of the very first questions I asked in the Commons was about the Island’s status as a dental desert.

"To now see such clear and tangible action from the Government to address this is hugely welcome news.”

He added that the next step will be ensuring Portsmouth receives the additional training places.

“Increasing training capacity here is the most effective long-term way to bring more dentists into communities like ours.”

MPs in Portsmouth have also backed the plans, saying the move could help address long-standing issues with NHS dentistry across the wider Solent region.