Number of Scottish dentistry students increases by 7%

The number of Scottish student dentists has increased, figures show as a Scottish minister called on the UK Government to change its "damaging immigration approach".

The number starting a bachelor of dental surgery (BDS) course has increased by 7% over 2025-26 - the highest in a decade which will help meet the Scottish Government's intake pledge to deliver an expanded pipeline of new dentists joining the workforce from 2029.

Meeting dental students in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, public health minister Jenni Minto said: "I am pleased to meet the dental students in the outreach clinic at the Buchanan Centre - these students and trainees are the future of our NHS dental workforce and it was great to see their journey in action.

"We have a programme of targeted investment to boost the NHS dental workforce and this increase to the number of domestic dental students will ensure a larger pool of new dentists entering the workforce from 2029."

The number of Scottish students starting BDS courses has risen by 10 places, up from 135 in September 2024 to 145 from September 2025.

Ms Minto said the draft Budget for 2026-27 outlines further funding of more than £526.5 million for the sector.

However, she said the Scottish Government will continue to call on UK ministers to change their approach to immigration, which she said is having an impact on the dentistry sector.

She said: "We now have more high street dentists working in Scotland than pre-pandemic and our draft Budget 2026-27 underlines our commitment to NHS dentistry, with record funding of over £526 million set aside for the sector.

"This represents a nearly 40% increase in funding, on a cash basis, over the lifetime of this Parliament.

"We will continue pushing the UK Government to reverse their damaging immigration approach and the impact it's having on the dentistry sector."

The UK Government has been approached for comment.

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