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Written question asked by Caroline Dinenage (Conservative) on Thursday, 14 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 (named day). It was answered by Stephen Kinnock (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.


Dentistry: Portsmouth

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to establish a dental school in Portsmouth.

Answer

On 3 September 2025, the University of Portsmouth was designated as a dental authority for the purposes of the Dentists Act 1984 by The Dentists Act 1984 (Medical Authorities) Order 2025, enabling it to run dental exams and award dentistry qualifications.

On 10 March 2026, the Government announced an expansion of dental school places in England from 809 to 859, backed by an £11 million investment per year once the expansion is fully implemented.

The Office for Students (OfS) has statutory responsibility for allocating funding for dental school places. Ministers from the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Education have requested that the OfS prioritise new dental schools, approved by the General Dental Council, when allocating the new places.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
1133
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Dentistry Portsmouth Training
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk