1. Background
1.1 Bursary funding has been approved by some of the ICBs in the South West region as one of the workforce initiatives to attract and retain dentists working in the region.
1.2 Applications for funding are invited from dentists working in the specified ICB areas only (see eligibility criteria below).
2. Scope
2.1 The guidelines apply to the NHS South West Dental Postgraduate Bursaries for first year students taking up a place of study for 2026/7 in a range of courses at Bristol University and Plymouth University.
The courses include:
One year part-time
Pg Cert in Oral Surgery – Bristol University
Pg Cert in Dental Conscious Sedation and Anxiety Mgmnt – Bristol University
Three year part-time
MSc in Periodontology – Bristol University
MSc in Restorative Dentistry – Plymouth University
MSc in Periodontology – Plymouth University
MSc in Endodontics – Plymouth University
MSc in Oral Surgery – Plymouth University
2.2 The bursary is intended as a non-repayable award of £5,000 for one-year part-time courses and £5,000 per annum for the first two years of three-year part-time courses, payable direct to the University towards course fees.
2.3 Funds are limited per ICB and priority will be given to dentists working in primary care delivering higher levels of NHS dental activity.
3. Eligibility
3.1 To be considered for a bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- be currently working as an NHS dentist in one of the following ICB areas:
- Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
- Devon
- Dorset
- Somerset
- be committed to remain working in NHS dentistry in the South West region during and post qualification for at least three years
- be fully registered with the General Dental Council
- be on the NHS England National Performers List
- be suitable for acceptance on the course according to the criteria of the relevant University
3.2 Applications from those working in NHS primary care services will be given priority over applicants working in secondary care.
3.3 Individuals who are working in NHS trusts providing NHS dental services as speciality dentists, etc, already have opportunity to access mentorship, development and support within their units, which is not available to those in either salaried dental services or general dental practice.
4. Terms and Conditions
4.1 Recipients of the dental postgraduate bursary will be required to sign a terms and conditions agreement prior to award to confirm that they:
- Meet the eligibility criteria to apply and be awarded for bursary funding
- Are committed to working for the NHS in the South West region during and post qualification
- Are not in receipt of funds from other sources
- Agree to provide feedback as requested and a written report to the South West Regional Dental Office on completion of the course
4.2 Awards cannot be deferred from the year they are awarded for.
4.3 Awards cannot be claimed retrospectively.
5. Postgraduate Dental Bursary Applications Process
5.1 The process to apply for the dental bursary is detailed below:
- Applications to be submitted on the link here within the deadlines set out below
- The deadline for submission is as follows:
- Courses at Bristol University – 30th June 2026
- Courses at the Plymouth University – 31st October 2026
- The South West Regional Chief Dental Office and respective Managed Clinical Network (MCN) will review submitted applications for approval of bursary funding
- Applicants will be notified if they have been successful by the South West Regional Chief Dental Office within 4-6 weeks of the respective closing dates.
6. Withdrawal of Bursaries
6.1 Bursaries may be withdrawn, if:
- Applicants do not meet the specific course requirements, specific grade progression criteria
- The applicant decides to withdraw (temporarily or permanently) from the course
6.2 If the applicant withdraws (temporarily or permanently) from the course, or no longer meet the necessary course requirements, they must notify the University and the South West Regional Dental Office immediately. If they are already in receipt of the bursary, they may be required to return the bursary in part or in its entirety, depending on any mitigating circumstances.
6.3 Awards are allocated for 2026/7 entry only. If the applicant decides to defer or withdraw and restart, any award already offered will become void. If still eligible, applicants could be considered for support the following year on submission of another application.
7. Funds from other Sources
7.1 If an applicant is in receipt of funds from other sources they cannot be considered for receipt of a dental postgraduate bursary.
8. Disciplinary action and fraudulent applications
8.1 The South West Regional Chief Dental Office reserves the right to withdraw an award from anyone who is found to have misled the University and the NHS about any aspect of their eligibility and will seek repayment of any monies already paid to them. In such cases the University and the NHS may seek to recover any money paid as a debt. This may include the county court (in which case it may also seek to recover additional sums such as interest, court fees and legal costs).
9. Appeals Process
9.1 The South West Regional Chief Dental Office’s decision on the interpretation of eligibility criteria is regarded as final. You may make a complaint if you believe that you have not been considered for an award because of a procedural error, or you believe that there has been some other procedural problem with the allocating and awarding system. Complaints should be made to: england.swregionaldentaloffice@nhs.net.
You must comply with all requests for additional information to establish your eligibility within the timeframes specified and you must submit any evidence requested by the stated deadlines.