University of Sunderland to launch new Dental Academy to help address dental treatment waiting lists
“By training skilled dental professionals locally, we can help people get seen sooner”
The University of Sunderland has announced it is launching a new dental academy at the university’s medical school.
The city’s university hopes the new academy will help to address the current shortfall of availability of dental treatments here in the North East with NHS figures published in 2025 showing 85% of dental practices in the region being unable to take on new patients, making the it one of the worst in country to register for dental treatment.
The Dental Academy will offer a range of dental programmes, including Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy, and Dental Technician training, with the first courses expected to launch in September 2027.
Rachel Elliott, Associate Head of School for Biosciences and Dental Education at the University of Sunderland, is leading the project.
She said: “We know how difficult it can be for many people in our region to access dental care, especially in areas where NHS services are limited. That is why our new Dental Academy is so important. By training skilled dental professionals locally, we can help people get seen sooner and improve the focus on preventative care.
“It also means we’re building a stronger local workforce, with more qualified dental care practitioners ready to meet growing NHS demand. Our programmes are designed to give students real hands-on experience, so they leave ready to deliver high-quality care to patients.
“Just as importantly, the academy will work closely with local healthcare partners, helping us take a more joined-up approach to training and patient care across the north-east.”
Professor Laura Stroud, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, added: “Access to dental services is much needed – with good oral health being a strong component of general good health.
“The academy supports our ambition to both serve our population and provide routes into professions, so I am delighted that through the launch of this new training facility, we are another step closer in realising this ambition.”
The new academy will aim to support students in dental care professions, with a focus on creating opportunities for under-represented students to access education in dental care.