"Transformative moment" - University of Portsmouth takes significant step towards opening dental school in region described as a dental desert
The University of Portsmouth has made a significant step towards opening the first dental school in the South-East of England.
It currently operates as a dental academy, training dental nurses, hygienists, and therapists, but has now been granted Dental Authority Status (DAS) by the Department of Health and Social Care. This paves the way for it to offer a degree in dentistry and has been described as a “transformative moment” with a dearth of dental care options in the region.
Last month the government announced NHS dentistry reforms as it aimed to make access to urgent care easier. Research by the Local Government Association found that Portsmouth was a “dental desert” with the city having 15 NHS dentists per 100,000 people. The national average is 42.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, Professor Graham Galbraith CBE, said: "Achieving Dental Authority Status is a landmark moment for the University and the communities we serve. Portsmouth and the wider South-East region desperately need more NHS dentists, and we are ready to train the next generation of dental professionals right here in the heart of one of the country's most underserved areas."
With the status granted, the university is now waiting for the government to decide how many additional dentistry students will be funded across the UK. Once this is confirmed, the Office for Students (OfS) will allocate places to dental schools through a competitive process.
If successful in securing an allocation, Portsmouth will be able to welcome its first dental students as early as September this year. Not only could this mean the first dental school for the region, but also one of the first to open in the UK in 20 years.
Professor Chris Louca, Director of Dentistry at the University. “Our school is equipped with cutting-edge technology and simulation facilities that will provide students with an exceptional learning experience. We are already deeply embedded in the community, with students delivering supervised free dental health services to the public and gaining valuable professional experience in the process. We're ready to start training the next generation of dental professionals who will help tackle the critical shortage of NHS dentists in our region."
Commenting on the dental school plans, University Provost Professor Sherria Hoskins, said: “The addition of a dental school represents a transformative moment for our university and the communities we serve. Together we are building a comprehensive health education and research ecosystem right here in Portsmouth.
“Our vision is to train healthcare professionals across multiple disciplines who will work together to address the pressing health challenges facing our region – from the GP shortage to the dental crisis. This integrated approach to health education and community service is what sets us apart.”
The plans to become a dental school have been backed by local MPs with Stephen Morgan labelling it as the “perfect compliment” to the recently announced national reforms.
He said: “Training our own dentists here in Portsmouth means we can build a sustainable NHS dental workforce that understands and serves our community's needs."
That sentiment was echoed by the MP for Portsmouth North, Amanda Martin, who said she was “proud” to back the plans. She said: “A dental school here in Portsmouth would be a game-changer, training and retaining home-grown dentists who will stay and serve local people.”
While the impact of the new dental school could be significant for Portsmouth, it would also benefit the wider region.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage said: “I welcome the news that the University of Portsmouth's Dental Academy has been granted dental authority status as it means we are one step closer to being able to train dentists in our region, for our region.”