Dundee Dental Education Centre celebrates a generation of learning
Colleagues (pictured standing from left to right) Keith Redpath, Chair, Karen Reid, Chief Executive and Lee Savarrio, Director of Dental are shown some of DDEC's training capabilities at the event by University of Dundee Dentistry lecturer Richard Boyle (seated).
Dundee’s tradition of excellence in dental teaching and clinical care is witnessing a milestone with Dundee Dental Education Centre (DDEC) celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Delivering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate training, DDEC opened on 25 June 2006, bringing together NHS Tayside, the University of Dundee, and NHS Education for Scotland – now Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSD Scotland).
Keith Redpath, PSD Scotland Chair, said:
“It was a privilege to have joined staff and partners in visiting the Dundee Dental Education Centre (DDEC) in the Frankland Building to celebrate 20 years of this outstanding facility. What stands out is not only the longevity of the Centre, but the consistency of the impact of DDEC and our staff team in modernising and striving for the highest standards of care and patient safety - supporting generations of dental professionals, researchers, and learners through high-quality education, innovation, and partnership working.
The collaboration between NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Tayside, and the University of Dundee continues to be a powerful model, and it is clear from our visit that DDEC remains at the forefront of clinical training and professional development, with a strong focus on the future of dental care.”
Karen Reid, PSD Scotland Chief Executive, said:
“Visiting the Dundee Dental Education Centre as part of its 20th anniversary has been a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand the scale and quality of training being delivered. The investment made two decades ago has undoubtedly exceeded expectations, creating a centre of excellence that continues to evolve to meet the needs of the dental workforce.
Built on a unique partnership between NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Tayside, and the University of Dundee, the Centre combines academic excellence with clinical innovation. With strong links to a globally recognised School of Dentistry, alongside advanced clinical skills facilities and simulation technology, DDEC remains at the forefront of dental education and training, nationally and internationally.
The Centre demonstrates clear impact across education, practice and patient care. It is a testament to the dedication of colleagues across the partnership and provides a strong foundation for the next phase of innovation, supporting a highly skilled, confident and future-ready workforce."
Niall McGoldrick, Director of Dentistry and Hon Consultant in Dental Public Health, NHS Tayside, said:
"DDEC is a fantastic asset to have here in Tayside, and we are delighted to continue to be a partner in its success. Having a facility such as this available locally means we can provide a range of training and professional development opportunities for our dental workforce. We are very proud that the centre hosts many excellent colleagues who shape how we do dentistry in Scotland, including the internationally renowned guidance development group, Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme.
"It is inspiring to have these colleagues working in such close proximity to our clinical teams, enhancing the culture of improvement and clinical excellence in Tayside."
Impact and innovation
Through initial funding of £3m in 2006, DDEC – located in University of Dundee’s Frankland Building – physically links the Dundee Dental Hospital and School to integrate teaching and clinical practice. From the outset, DDEC introduced advanced teaching infrastructure that has stood the test of time – including:
- launching a 38 chair clinical skills laboratory with ‘phantom head’ simulators for hands on dental training, allowed students to practice procedures safely before` treating patients.
- a central hub for a wide range of training and education programmes, such as vocational training for newly qualified dentists, continuing professional development for the entire dental team, pre- and post-registration dental nurse training, and hospital training posts.
- home to important Scotland wide initiatives such as Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP), Scottish Dental Practice Based Research Network (SDPBRN), and TRiaDS (Translation Research in a Dental Setting) - positioning DDEC as a national hub for research, policy, and improvement.
Summary timeline
| Year | Milestone |
| Pre 2000s | Dundee establishes long-standing reputation in dental education (Dental Hospital & School). |
| 2006 | DDEC officially opens as a £3m tri partite education centre. |
| 2006-2010s | Expansion of simulation training, CPD, and national programmes. |
| 2010s | SDCEP, research networks, and workforce training evolves. |
| 2020s | Integration with wider research-driven models of care and education. |
| 2022+ | Linked evolution toward Dundee Dental Hospital and Research School. |
