NHS Gloucestershire ICB and University of Gloucestershire and have agreed funding for a new treatment hub and dental school in Gloucester.
Located within the University’s City Campus, the Three Counties Dental School – which will include the Gloucestershire Dental Treatment Hub – will be operational from 2027. Markey Building Services Limited have been contracted to deliver the development works, and NHS Gloucestershire ICB is currently procuring a provider to operate the treatment hub.
This £3m project will transform the City Campus building into a contemporary dental training and treatment facility. The Three Counties Dental School will enable the launch of new dental care professional programmes 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.
University of Gloucestershire vice-chancellor Dame Clare Marchant DBE 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 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.”
Markey Building Services Limited MD Richard Dudgeon said: “As a Gloucester-based company with a specialism in the construction of healthcare projects we are delighted to be appointed by University of Gloucestershire to bring much-needed facilities in Gloucester and thank the University for the great opportunity to demonstrate our expertise and experience.”
