The University of Lincoln has secured £1.5 million from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to establish the Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health (LIDOH), aiming to address the region’s critical shortage of NHS dental professionals.
The funding will support the launch of a new BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy, as well as a foundation course designed to help dental nurses and healthcare workers upskill without leaving the county. Redevelopment of university facilities is also planned to include new clinical teaching spaces equipped with advanced simulation and digital tools.
Lincolnshire consistently ranks among the areas in the UK with the worst NHS dental access, with implications for broader public health and local workforce sustainability. The LIDOH initiative is positioned to develop a locally trained dental workforce that meets community needs and reduces reliance on external recruitment.
This new institute builds on the university’s previous investments in healthcare education and regional workforce development, including the Lincoln Medical School and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health, both of which aim to improve healthcare access and outcomes across Greater Lincolnshire.
The initiative aligns with broader regional efforts to address skills gaps and expand local career pathways in the health services sector.
