Plymouth is set to benefit from a new city centre dental facility aimed at addressing the urgent need for NHS dental care. Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), a subsidiary of the University of Plymouth, has secured a 20-year lease on the former First Stop Shop on New George Street.
The new Peninsula Dental Education Practice will be developed through a £5 million project, subject to planning approval, giving more opportunities to access a Plymouth dentist.
Key takeaways for new Peninsula Dental Education Practice:
- £5 Million Investment – The new Peninsula Dental Education Practice is being developed through a £5 million project to expand access to urgent NHS dental care in Plymouth.
- 35,000+ Annual Appointments – PDSE currently provides over 35,000 appointments to nearly 6,500 patients across its existing clinics, with the new facility set to increase capacity.
- 16 Final-Year Students in Training – The clinic will allow up to 16 final-year dental students to gain real-world experience while treating patients under specialist supervision.
The facility will feature state-of-the-art treatment and consultation spaces, allowing up to 16 final-year dental students from the University’s Peninsula Dental School to work alongside specialists to provide urgent care. Patients without a regular NHS dentist who are experiencing pain, infection, or trauma will be able to access services, including oral surgery.
With thousands of people in the city struggling to find a Plymouth dentist, this initiative aims to help bridge the gap. Professor Robert Witton, PDSE Chief Executive, highlighted the project’s potential to transform access to care while offering essential hands-on experience to students.
PDSE already operates four clinics across Devon and Cornwall, with two in Plymouth, providing over 35,000 appointments annually. These facilities are at full capacity, making the new clinic a crucial expansion. Unlike existing teaching facilities, the new practice will mimic a real dental clinic environment, better preparing students for their future careers.
The project has the backing of the Plymouth Dental Taskforce, a cross-party initiative launched in 2023 to address the Plymouth dentist crisis. Councillor Mary Aspinall, Chair of the Taskforce, praised the clinic’s potential to improve access to NHS dental care. Plymouth MP Luke Pollard welcomed the initiative, saying:
“A new city centre dental clinic will be transformative for Plymouth. It also reinforces the health village I have been campaigning for with more health services on the high street.
We should be very proud of our dental school, already the best in England, and now making an even bigger contribution to improving dental health in Plymouth. Fixing Plymouth’s dentistry crisis is a priority for me. Alongside this clinic, I am determined to deliver the extra NHS dentists and appointments Plymouth needs.”
