Bristol Dental Hospital opened their newly refurbished Oral Medicine Department and specialist children and young person surgical theatre.
The new improvements to the Oral Medicine Department, which including additional consulting rooms, privacy screens and new flooring, have further improved the privacy for patients while they are receiving care at the hospital.
The children’s and young person surgical theatre provides care for routine extractions, surgical extractions and comprehensive care for children with complex dental needs. The enhancements will further improve the experience of patients, with larger recovery bays creating a better recovery environment.
The updated design incorporates artwork that was generously funded by Bristol & Weston Hospitals Charity and Glastonbury Festivals.
During the last financial year (April 2025 – March 2026) BDH treated 2,068 children in the theatre suite and 5,400 patients in the Oral Medicine Department. Every year, BDH undertakes over 60,000 outpatient appointments.
The Oral Medicine service at BDH is the only tertiary service in the South West, meaning the hospital offers the most complex and specialist dental care in the region.
As a specialist centre, BDH also offers specialist training for highly qualified dental doctors (specialty registrar level), to diagnose and manage complex conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and nerves of the face, jaw, and mouth.
BDH is one of the 13 hospitals run by the newly merged Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and has been supporting people of Bristol and the wider South West since 1939, developing a national reputation for postgraduate training and academic contributions.
Professor Tim Whittlestone, Chief Medical and Innovation Officer, said:
“Bristol Dental Hospital is an institution with a long rich history of treating people in the South West, leading on innovative academic studies and training the next generation of dental doctors and surgeons.
“These improvements will ensure people in our care are treated in the best possible environment, giving our team the spaces to offer respect, compassion, and confidentiality while providing guidance, treatment and care.
“We also recognise the role we have in providing excellent training spaces for the next generation of dental clinicians as the regional specialist service. These improved facilities can help us offer pride in our workplace and fulfilling careers for our workforce.”
Matthew Jerreat, Chief Dental Officer for NHS England South West opened the new and improved spaces, and met with the team to understand how the investment will improve patient care, clinical facilities and improve our training environment.
Matthew Jerreat, Regional Chief Dental Officer NHS England – South West, said:
“These refurbished facilities represent an important investment in specialist oral medicine dental services for the South West. The refurbished facilities will enhance the experience of all patients, while giving highly skilled staff and future dental trainees an excellent environment to work in. I’m excited to see how the regional dental office, working with consultant colleagues, can support the wider oral medicine services across the region.”
