The British Dental Association has warned decision makers that the future of the dental workforce hinges on safeguarding an undervalued dental academic workforce.
Academic leaders have briefed MPs, highlighting concerns that shortages in the dental academic workforce are affecting their ability to train the next generation of dentists in the UK.
Key asks include a dedicated workforce review of dental academia, an increase in investment and a commitment to protect funding streams, and the need to develop evidence-based guidance on safe staff-to-student ratios.
Recruitment and retention in the dental academic workforce are at a flash point. Since 2024, the number of clinical teachers in the UK has reduced by 25 per cent, professors by 18 per cent, and lecturers by 13 per cent.
There are now twice as many dental academics over 55, as there are under 36 years old, with more than a quarter of clinical academics now over the age of 55. Our members are highlighting their concerns over growing gaps in expertise, with an ageing workforce and both recruitment and retention problems.
Dentist leaders warn political and financial pressures are also contributing to a perfect storm for dental academia. Academic staff are now being asked to train an additional 50 dentists per year from 2027. Reductions in administrative support, and cuts to Strategic Priorities Grant funding are adding to the strain academics are experiencing.
The BDA has had reports from members citing increasing workload pressures, including widespread reports of unpaid overtime: 90 percent of academics say they are regularly working beyond their contracted hours, and 85 percent say they are not getting paid for this, and are not being offered time off in lieu.
While two new dental schools have been confirmed at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and University of Portsmouth, each receiving 25 new dental training places the BDA has stressed that there isn’t even a workforce to deliver on this modest increase in student numbers, and a funded plan to support dental academia must underpin this and any future expansion.
Petros Mylonas, Chair of the BDA’s Dental Academic Staff Committee said:
“The message from our members is clear. Unless our academic workforce is better supported, we stand to lose a critical mass of expertise across research, education, and clinical leadership in dentistry.
“If UK governments don’t value dental academics, there is simply no way of training tomorrow’s dentists.
“Failure to act here risks completely derailing dental education.
“Training more dentists hinges on Ministers making the right calls here.”
