Applications open for region’s first undergraduate training places for dentists
By: Communications
Applications open tomorrow (Tuesday 12 May) for students hoping to study Dental Surgery at the University of East Anglia (UEA), marking a major step forward in tackling the region’s shortage of NHS dentists.
From 9am on 12 May, prospective students can begin their UCAS applications for 2027 entry.
UEA has been allocated 25 Government-funded undergraduate dental training places per year, with the first cohort expected to start in September 2027.
The new places will build on the University’s established strengths in medical and health sciences education and its long-standing commitment to improving healthcare across Norfolk and East Anglia.
The introduction of dental training in Norwich is expected to play a key role in strengthening the local workforce, by training students in the region and increasing the number who stay to live and work locally after graduation.
General Medical Council data shows that a large proportion of Norwich Medical School graduates stay in the area, with a total of 815 UEA medicine graduates with a licence to practise currently residing in the East of England, with 371 in London and 295 in the Southeast.
Prof David Maguire, Vice-Chancellor of UEA, said: “Opening applications for dentistry is an important milestone for UEA and for the region.
“These new training places will help us develop the skilled workforce needed to improve access to NHS dental care across Norfolk and East Anglia.
“By training dentists locally, we aim to support communities where access to care has been limited and help build a more sustainable future for dental services.”
Prof Phil Baker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said:
“Our success in securing these places reflects the strength of UEA’s health education provision. We are well placed to deliver high-quality training that prepares graduates for modern dental practice.
“This is a significant opportunity to make a lasting difference to oral health outcomes across the region.”
The East of England has some of the lowest levels of access to NHS dental services in the country, with recruitment and retention of dentists a longstanding challenge. Expanding training capacity locally is widely recognised as a key part of the solution.
How to apply (from 12 May)
From 9am on Tuesday 12 May, applicants can:
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Register for the UCAS Hub (if not already registered)
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Start a 2027 entry application
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Add up to five course choices (up to four choices can be for Dentistry, Medicine or Veterinary Science courses)
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Begin completing sections such as education history and personal statement
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Submit their application once complete (applications are sent to universities from 1 September)
Find out more about the new course at https://www.uea.ac.uk/course/undergraduate/bds-dental-surgery
Local support for the new dentistry training places:
Lady Philippa Dannatt MBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, said: “Access to dental services is one of the most pressing issues for the people of Norfolk and I am so delighted the University of East Anglia is responding so wholeheartedly to this need.
“It is another outstanding example of the University’s civic commitment to serve communities across the region. The University has an excellent track record of training and retaining the health workforce here in the East and training the next generation of dentists here in Norfolk will help patients access the services they need.”
Prof Lesley Dwyer, Chief Executive of Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group, said: “Our hospitals fully and wholeheartedly support the development of this new dental school in Norwich. The creation of new training places is good news for the communities we serve at a time when rising numbers are attending urgent and emergency care services with dental issues.
“We have worked closely with UEA for more than 20 years to develop successive generations of doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals – we look forward to welcoming a new cohort of healthcare professionals to the UEA and hospital campuses.
“The creation of this dental school benefits the people of Norfolk and will complement the high-quality teaching and education programmes being delivered by the university and our hospitals.”
Professor Daniel Figeys, Director of the Quadram Institute, said: "Congratulations to everyone involved at UEA for securing an important new dental school for a region historically underserved for NHS dental services.”
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