A new dental school and NHS treatment hub is set to open in Gloucester in 2027, as pressure mounts to expand the dental workforce and improve patient access.
The University of Gloucestershire and NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) have agreed £3m in funding for the Three Counties Dental School, located within the university’s City Campus. Construction is due to begin this month.
Addressing workforce pressures
The development comes as the dental profession faces a deepening workforce shortage across the UK.
In 2023, more than 10,000 applicants competed for just 940 dentistry places in UK dental schools. The Dental Schools Council warned the UK faced a critical shortfall in meeting dental need, with growing regional disparities in access to care.
The south west is among the areas most affected
The Three Counties Dental School will initially offer a dental hygiene programme, targeting a recognised regional shortage of dental professionals.
From spring 2027, six treatment rooms will deliver NHS community dental services, including extended evening and weekend urgent care appointments for eligible patients, alongside routine care.
Christina Worle, dental strategy clinical lead at NHS Gloucestershire ICB, said: ‘Whilst we continue to provide urgent dental appointments across the county, we are also focusing on making prevention a priority and helping people with the greatest need to access NHS appointments and maintain good oral health.’
The contract also includes targeted oral health promotion and supported access for vulnerable populations.
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