News / University of Bristol
New £36m dental school opens
The University of Bristol’s Dental School has moved into new facilities after more than 80 years in the city centre.
Relocating from Lower Maudlin Street to Avon Street, the Dental School is set to provide “the very latest clinical training” in the education of dentists, hygienists, therapists and dental nurses.
Officially opening on Friday, the new £36m space overlooking the Floating Harbour close to Temple Meads enables the university to increase the number of available student places by around 25 per cent.
is needed now More than ever
Free dental treatment by undergraduate students under the supervision of qualified dentists will continue to be available at the new site, with 119 dental chairs over six clinical areas.
The space will continue to offer free treatment by undergraduate students
The new building features a public art installation at the front with characters The Denticles, created by Gav Strange, director and designer at Aardman.
Artist Bex Glover has also painted two murals in the main reception area and the children’s waiting room.
Inside the University of Bristol’s new Dental School, which features a mural by Bex Glover
“The majority of teaching in our new primary-care facility will enable students to work as part of multi-professional teams,” said Dr Barry Main, head of the Dental School, which is now officially part of the university’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus.
“Being alongside trainees in dental hygiene, therapy, and nursing mirrors the environment of real-world practice.
“While we will retain our links with local NHS partners to deliver training in specialist clinics and in postgraduate education, our new primary-care focussed model will allow a tailor-made approach that ensures each student leaves us ready for day one of foundation training.
“Our new curriculum, developed in the last five years, is underpinned by an ethos of personal development, evidence-based practice, and integrated patient care.
“And our new school will bring the practical embodiment of that curriculum to the benefit of our students and their patients, as we continue to provide treatment in an inclusive environment for the local community.”
The new facilities officially open on Friday
Professor Evelyn Welch, vice-chancellor and president of the University of Bristol, added: “It is fantastic to see these wonderful new facilities open today.
“This marks a significant milestone for the University’s strategy as we embark on a mission to both revolutionise dental education and make a profound, positive impact on our local community.”
All photos: University of Bristol
Read next:
- ‘Major milestone’ in Temple Quarter regeneration project
- ‘It is absolutely misguided to contemplate using Temple Quarter for student housing’
- St Paul’s residents protest dental centre closure
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