The Government’s decision to increase the number of dental undergraduate places has been responsible for the award of £16.1 million of capital development money to Bristol Dental School.  This is the largest award made to a single dental school in England and allows the annual intake of BDS students to rise from 50 to 75, with an additional four places specifically for overseas students.

Planning to accommodate this expansion was undertaken by a design team comprising Professor Stephen Prime, Head of Department; Dr Jane Luker, Lead Doctor; Matthew Rodieck, Dental Hospital Manager; and Dr Matthew Wainwright, former University Department Manager. The expansion programme relies on alterations to the Dental Hospital’s infrastructure, more efficient use of in-house facilities and a new outreach clinical teaching facility at the proposed South Bristol Community Hospital. Other benefits include improved student teaching facilities and accommodation (laboratories, IT, library and common room), together with the progressive development of self-directed learning.

The new infrastructure, both clinical and non-clinical, will be designed and used flexibly and has in mind possible future expansion of postgraduate education. The training requirements of dental care professionals (nurses, hygienists/therapists and technicians) have also been incorporated into the overall scheme to allow greater integrated teaching and opportunities for teamworking.