Region's first dental school allocated 25 places

The first dental school in eastern England is provisionally going ahead after being allocated 25 places for the next generation of dentists.

The University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich had its plans for a dental school approved by the Dental Council, however it was waiting for the Office for Students - the regulator for higher education - to allocate the places.

Receiving half of the places on offer, it hopes to welcome students in September 2027.

Prof David Maguire, vice-chancellor at the UEA, said: "By training new dentists locally, we can strengthen the general practice workforce, improve access to NHS dental services, and deliver better oral health outcomes for our communities."

While the UEA previously hoped to be allocating places for entry this year, plans were held up by the government's spending review, which meant the deadline to authorise extra places for 2026 passed.

Currently there are 16 dental schools in the UK, however the nearest ones to Norwich are in London and Birmingham.

By having local students, the university believes it will increase the number of dentists who stay to live and work in the region which is key for retention and recruitment.

Maguire said the university had been provisionally awarded half of the country's dental training places.

He said: "This will enable us to offer undergraduate dental training and address the dental challenges across Norfolk and East Anglia, representing the culmination of many years of hard work and campaigning here at the university.

"The region is currently significantly under-served by dentists, with Norfolk described by the secretary of state for health as the 'Sahara of dental deserts'."

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