DT News - UK - Bursary cuts: Dental students could be next

Dental Tribune International

Thu. 26 May 2016

save

LONDON, UK: The British Dental Association together with representatives of other medical organisations met with MP's on Wednesday to speak out against government plans to reduce funding for NHS bursaries in England. The step comes as a reaction to figures published by a London Economics report, suggesting the cuts only generate net savings of £88 million while at the same time heighten the risks of more shortages in health care staff.

“The increased costs associated with this increased dependency could almost entirely wipe out any potential cost savings,” it is stated in the report commissioned by UNISON and the National Union of Students.

According to the authors, Dr Gavan Conlon and Rohit Ladher, students in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions will face 71 per cent more costs, potentially reducing first-year annual enrolments by 6–7 per cent.

Furthermore, universities and other institutions of higher education will miss out on approximately £57–77 million per student intake.

The BDA fears that doctors and dentists will be next in line to lose bursary support, with dental graduates already facing an estimated average debt of £60,000.

“This bursary has been a lifeline for some students, and Ministers cannot sweep it away without giving proper consideration to the impact this will have on our NHS,” Paul Blaylock, chair of the BDA’s Student Committee, commented. “Ditching the bursary will yield minimal savings for the treasury, but have a massive impact on the next generation of health professionals.”

“It’s a recipe for shortages, for fewer dentists, doctors and nurses, that risks leaving both patients and taxpayers worse off,” he added.

According to BDA research, almost half of final-year dental students in Britain reported having experienced financial difficulties during their studies in 2014 owing to monetary shortfalls.

In order to bring health professions in line with other fields of study, the government scrapped bursary funding for students in nursing, midwifery and allied health professions in its Comprehensive Spending Review in November last year. In addition to £1,000 each year during their course, students in those subjects are currently entitled to up to £5,500, including coverage for their course fees.

To post a reply please login or register

Interview: “Social sciences need to be taught to dental students”

As a senior lecturer in social science at the University of Bristol’s dental school, Dr Andrea Waylen understands the importance of the behavioural and ...

Dental teams could help detect undiagnosed diabetes in patients

BIRMINGHAM, England: Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions in Europe and is strongly associated with periodontitis. An estimated one in ...

New denture adhesion solution is inspired by octopus suction cups

LONDON, England: Researchers at King’s College London have recently published details of research which combines biological insights with cutting-edge ...

Study shows aspirin could repair dental caries

BELFAST, UK: According to a new study by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, aspirin could reverse the effects of dental caries. According to the ...

Dental students already plagued by neck and back problems at university

LONDON, UK: Undergraduate dental students already experience musculoskeletal pain as dental practitioners do, a study performed at King’s College ...

UK dental students not informed about domestic violence

MANCHESTER, UK: Most victims of domestic violence have injuries around the head and neck region. Thus, dentists are in a prime position to spot signs of ...

Manchester welcomes UK dental professionals to next BDA conference

LONDON & MANCHESTER, UK: The next edition of the British Dental Conference and Exhibition is set to return to Manchester this week. Being held again at ...

Researchers develop material that could emulate dental enamel

LONDON, UK: Unlike many other tissues in the human body, dental enamel does not regenerate itself once it is damaged. In what could potentially be a ...

Study finds acupuncture could help with dental anxiety

YORK, UK: Fear of the dentist is something some people suffer from more than others. With multiple reasons for dental anxiety and its effects, there is ...

Brexit could impact dental labour market, experts say

LONDON, UK: Next week, people in the UK have to decide whether they want the country to remain in or leave the European Union. While a Brexit could ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 11 September 2025
6:00 pm UTC (London)