Your NHS dentistry and oral health update 

30 January 2026 

A focus on clinical leadership

These schemes offer aspiring clinical leaders a unique chance to explore opportunities beyond clinical practice and gain invaluable experience in leadership, management, strategy, project delivery and health policy. They run from September to August, and clinical fellows may be hosted at a variety of organisations, such as the General Dental Council, the Care Quality Commission, and also here at the OCDO.

With applications now open, this is a timely opportunity to talk about the scheme, introduce some of the current dental clinical fellows, and highlight the story and success of a previous clinical fellow.

Hopefully you will have seen the special focus bulletin we published on 15 January, about the dental contract reforms. Introduced from April 2026, these changes will mean improved payment and claiming options to support patients with urgent care or those in higher needs groups, measures to financially support and embed quality improvement, and proposals to enable all members of the oral healthcare team to better contribute to NHS treatment. 

Additionally, our letter on 22 January outlines how NHS dental contractors will be required to deliver 8.2% of their contract value as urgent/unscheduled activity in 2026/27. 

NHS England will provide further updates on the implementation of the dental contract reforms. Look out for details of a series of webinars in March and April, aimed at all practice teams. You can also read my blog about the dental contract reforms on the General Dental Council website.

Thank you for your support in implementing these important and positive changes.

Kind regards,
Jason Wong

Chief Dental Officer's Clinical Fellow Scheme 2026/27

Applications for the Chief Dental Officer’s Clinical Fellowship Scheme 2026/2027 are open until 22 February 2026. The Scheme is open to oral health professionals from all sectors. 

The Chief Dental Officer England's Clinical Fellowship Scheme is a 12-month experiential leadership development opportunity, starting on 1 September 2026. It aims to support oral health professionals in England who demonstrate leadership potential and aspirations, and equip them with the skills required to be effective and impactful leaders. This unique opportunity enables fellows to work within a national healthcare-affiliated organisation that supports clinical dental practice and the wider oral healthcare system.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Chief Dental Officer's Clinical Fellowship Scheme webpage.

Read on to find out about the experiences of some current and former clinical fellows.

Clinical leadership focus

It offered a view beyond individual clinics and services, helping me see how systems fit together—and how small decisions at policy level can have a profound impact on patients and professionals. The fellowship built my confidence to speak up in rooms I had never imagined being in, and reinforced that dentists have a legitimate and necessary role in shaping healthcare.

Alongside this, I developed non-clinical skills that continue to shape my work today: organising complex projects, chairing meetings, navigating difficult conversations, and building relationships with senior leaders across organisations. Perhaps most importantly, it gave me the self-belief to pursue leadership roles alongside clinical practice.

I now work as a Consultant in Special Care Dentistry within the NHS and as Clinical Director for Dentaid The Dental Charity, leading clinical care across its UK mobile dental services. I also hold a deputy leadership role within the London Special Care Dentistry Managed Clinical Network and sit on the Principal Executive Committee of the British Dental Association. Through my blog, A Tooth Germ, and social media, I share reflections on leadership, advocacy and inclusive dental care.

The fellowship did not give me a single career path—but it gave me the confidence, skills and perspective to build one.

I applied to the fellowship to explore how dental care professionals can contribute to national leadership and decision-making.  My role at the CQC involves contributing a clinical perspective to regulatory work that supports quality improvement and patient safety. The fellowship has enabled me to build on both my clinical and research background, apply evidence at a national level through regulation, and consider future leadership and policy roles beyond the surgery.

In the short time that I have been a clinical fellow I have already been involved in major pieces of work such as the English and Welsh Dental Contract Reforms, exercises to improve the orthodontic completion rates and various provider assurance workstreams. I look forward to developing my skills as a young leader, working with the people and organisations that have a real impact on the delivery of NHS dentistry and gaining an even broader insight to allow me to become a better, well-rounded clinician.

Through this role I have explored the digital aspects of healthcare. I have gained valuable insight into the digital infrastructure of the NHS, whilst simultaneously honing my teamwork, communication and leadership skills through working on multidisciplinary projects.

The flexibility of the clinical leadership fellowship has enabled me to continue working clinically two days per week. This has allowed me to implement the skills I have learned thus far in my fellowship role in real time in the clinical environment.

Having been in a non-clinical role for some time, I was worried about what I might be able to bring to the scheme. However I swiftly found that I was in a team with people from a variety of different backgrounds, all of whom are highly valued and provide unique and invaluable perspectives. In my role, I am currently leading on a number of workstreams including a core patient safety strategy, my own project focused on reducing late diagnosis for oral cancer, as well as organising the OCDO Zone at the upcoming British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) Dental Showcase. I have learned things about both dentistry and myself that I never thought I would, and I hope to take the skills I have learned with me throughout my career.

Join the Chief Dental Officer England's webinar on 4 February

Join us for the fifth in our series of CDO webinars on Wednesday 4 February, from 6-7.30pm. This webinar will cover 'The Role of the Inter-Disciplinary Team in System Reform'. Find out more and register.

Chief Dental Officer England’s Scientific Conference 

​​​​Chief Dental Officer Dr Jason Wong gave an update on his key areas of focus this year, emphasising the need for system level vision and the importance of translating research into frontline policy. Highlights from his presentation also included the impact of the BREATHE wellbeing platform, and the importance of skill mix and right touch regulation.

Promoting extra urgent dental care appointments

The urgent dental care incentive (UDCI) scheme runs until 31 March 2026 and aims to incentivise eligible dental providers and their oral healthcare teams to provide more unscheduled care to patients in 2025/26. A range of posters, flyers and banners has been created to support ICBs and dental practices to promote the additional urgent dental care appointments to patients. Find these on CommsLink and the dentistry areas of NHS Futures (log-in required).

BDIA Dental Showcase 2026

We are looking forward to the upcoming BDIA Dental Showcase, at the ExCel in London on 13-14 March. 

At the CDO Zone this year we have much to share with you, as we navigate a significant turning point in how oral healthcare is delivered in England. We will be focusing on the recent changes involving dental system reform and contract changes, with speakers exploring these from both a commissioning and clinical perspective. 

You will also hear in-depth discussions on topics including health and wellbeing of the oral health team, skill mix, how digital advancements are transforming care, sustainability, and regulation updates. The OCDO team will be available at the CDO Zone across both days.

Find out more and book your place.

Dental Check by One ‘Practice of the year’ Awards

The aim of the initiative is to increase the number of children who access dental care aged 0-2 years, by campaigning to get infants into a dentist’s chair by their first birthday. Read more about the importance of the Dental Check by One from NASDAL Chair Heidi Marshall and BSPD President Dr Oosh Devalia.

Applications are invited from practices as well as nominations from patients. With a prize of £1000, a trophy, and the right to use the NASDAL Dental Check by One Practice of the Year 2026 title, we encourage all relevant practices to enter. Apply by 5pm on Friday 6 February. 

Pictured above: the team at Brook Lane Dental Surgery, Felixstowe won the Award in 2025.

Dental Schools Council leading report on oral health clinical research workforce

Dental Schools Council is leading the development of an oral health clinical research workforce report for the Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR). This has a broad scope across all four UK nations, including dentists and DCPs, general dentistry and specialties, and the full pipeline from undergraduate exposure to retirement. OSCHR is responsible for coordinating health research funders to support a strong UK health research environment.

A Project Board, guided by a wider stakeholder group and with representation from all four nations, has been meeting monthly since September. It includes members of OCDO England, early career researchers, and partners including NIHR and the UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors.

Adult Dental Health Survey 2023 results published

View the results of the Adult Oral Health Survey 2023, commissioned by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

The survey was designed as a continuation of the long-running adult dental health surveys, carried out in the UK since 1968. It was carried out from June 2023 to April 2024 with a representative sample of people in England aged 16 and older. 

Cybercrime Case Study Webinar for Primary Care, 10 February

NHS England has teamed up with the City of London Police’s Cyber Griffin team to deliver a series of practical webinars for primary care organisations.

This case study-focused webinar from Cyber Griffin will provide a behind-the-scenes look into criminal activity and the subsequent police investigation. Through this, delegates will see in real terms the importance of good cyber practices to mitigate attacks. The webinar will take place on Tuesday 10 February from 1-2.30pm. Register here.

NHSmail is becoming NHS.net Connect

NHS.net Connect is the same secure service you rely on, now with a new Launchpad to help you:

• Access Outlook, Teams, shared mailboxes, and account settings in one place
• Manage your account with fewer clicks and stronger security
• Collaborate across organisations and quickly access trusted NHS tools
• Work from any device, whether you are in clinic, in the community, or on the go

See for yourself how Launchpad will transform your day-to-day by watching this video. You do not need to take any action right now. You will receive information when it’s time to switch.
Find out more.

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The Primary Care bulletin provides resources on health policy and practice and we encourage you to sign up for this, too. It is aimed at teams across general practice, dentistry, community pharmacy and optometry. 

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Recent dentistry and oral health bulletins 

Previous bulletins can be accessed by clicking on the links below:

Special focus bulletins 

The Office of the Chief Dental Officer and the NHS England team regularly produce 'special focus bulletins' on clinical priorities and key aspects of patient care. These bulletins summarise the key information dental teams need to know and act as a refresher, combining best practice, expert opinion and useful resources. If you would like to suggest a topic for a future special focus bulletin please email the CDO's team at England.CDOExecutive@nhs.net