The University of Gloucestershire and NHS Gloucestershire ICB have agreed funding for a new dental school and treatment hub.

The hub and school will be located within the University’s City Campus and will be open from 2027.

Markey Building Services Limited have been contracted to deliver the development works, and NHS Gloucestershire ICB is in the process of procuring a provider to operate the treatment hub. 

The £3 million project will provide a modern and contemporary dental training and treatment facility on the third floor of the City Campus building.

The Three Counties Dental School will enable the launch of new dental care professional programmes, initially Dental Hygiene, which will equip students with the specialist skills required for careers in dentistry while helping address a recognised regional workforce shortage in dental professionals.

From Spring 2027, the Gloucestershire Dental Treatment Hub will deliver NHS community dental services. With six individual treatment rooms, it will provide extended evening and weekend urgent care appointments to patients alongside treatment plans and regular, routine appointments for eligible people.  

Dame Clare Marchant DBE, Vice-Chancellor of University of Gloucestershire, said: “The Three Counties Dental School, including the new Gloucestershire Dental Treatment Hub, is a fantastic addition to City Campus and a significant investment in both our students and the wider community.

“We are incredibly excited to have the opportunity to train the next generation of dental care practitioners, developing our academic and research capabilities in this crucial area. Together with our NHS colleagues, we will equip them with the skills needed to address critical workforce shortages while improving access to care across the region.

“This is a strong example of our ambition to be a connected university – working in partnership to deliver real impact and ensuring our graduates are prepared to make a meaningful difference in their communities.” 
 

Christina Worle, Dental Strategy Clinical Lead at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “We have been working closely with the University and local dentists and are delighted that funding has been agreed, and plans are progressing to make the new dental school and also the Dental Treatment Hub for Gloucestershire a reality.  

“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.

“Our investment also supports training the future dental workforce, helping to build a more resilient NHS dental service for years to come.”