17 February 2025
At Yeovil College and the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT), the dental programme is more than just filling skill gaps—it’s about cultivating future talent and securing the industry’s future.
Why Are Yeovil College & WEIoT Leading the Way in Dental?
Yeovil College’s expertise in rotary aerospace and advanced manufacturing has laid a strong foundation for advancements in digital dental technology. Their experience in digital production, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and composites has seamlessly transferred to dental technology. The College prioritises listening to the business community and responding to their needs, with clear guidance from the dental tech sector driving their entry into this new field.
Leading the UK
A collaborative effort involving dental laboratory owners, manufacturers, the General Dental Council, NHS England, Open University, West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT), and the dedicated Yeovil College team has resulted in a highly effective partnership. This collaboration has led to the creation of new resources and fit-for-purpose education and training, all designed to meet the future needs of the sector efficiently.
Investments in the Dental Curriculum
Significant support and investment from NHS England, WEIoT, and the sector have fuelled exciting advancements. This includes the establishment of two new labs (digital and wet), a patient treatment simulation space, and the development of new Apprenticeship and Degree Apprenticeship programmes. Additionally, hundreds of hours of innovative blended learning content have been created by dental sector experts.
Expanding Reach and Impact
With the sector’s approval of the digital dental training, Yeovil College, supported by WEIoT, is expanding to new locations across England. The first new site will be in Leicester, in partnership with Ivoclar. The hybrid apprenticeship and degree apprenticeship model will be implemented in 3-4 locations, featuring laboratory training every six weeks for three days and flexible weekly virtual classroom sessions. These locations will be strategically placed near clusters of dental labs and transport hubs to ensure easy access for apprentices and labs. The Degree Apprenticeship will be based in Somerset, utilising the new labs and following the same blended delivery model.
Future Growth Plans
The dental sector has indicated a need for thousands of new dental technicians and upskilling for the existing workforce. Yeovil College aims to meet this demand by training over 100 new students annually. The broader dental community and NHS England have also voiced the need for new dental curricula, bringing additional stakeholders into the conversation and highlighting further training and education needs for the dental workforce. The College’s priority focus is listening to the business community and responding to their needs.
