ITN Visits Yeovil College to Explore the Future of Digital Dentistry
Yeovil College’s pioneering approach to digital dentistry and Dental Technician training has attracted national attention, with ITN recently visiting the College to interview CEO & Principal, Mark Bolton.
The feature focused on how Yeovil College has developed an innovative solution to tackle the national shortage of Dental Technicians, combining high-quality apprenticeship delivery with cutting-edge digital engineering technologies to create a new model of education and skills development.
Developed in partnership with employers and supported by the NHS, the College’s Dental Engineering programmes have transformed access to specialist training across the South of England. The unique blended delivery model enables learners from across the region to gain the skills, knowledge and workplace experience needed to become registered Dental Technicians, helping to address a critical workforce challenge facing the profession.
Speaking during the interview, Mark Bolton highlighted the importance of finding innovative solutions to industry challenges through collaboration between education providers, employers and healthcare organisations.
“At Yeovil College, we believe colleges have a vital role to play in solving real-world skills challenges. By bringing together education, apprenticeships, digital technology and employer expertise, we’ve created a model that is helping to develop the workforce needed for the future of dentistry.”
In just four years, the College has established itself as a recognised leader in Dental Engineering education, with programmes attracting learners from across the South West and beyond. This year, Yeovil College expects to educate 46 students through its Dental Engineering pathways, helping to reverse the decline in Dental Technician numbers and strengthen the future of the profession.
The success of the programme is also influencing provision nationally, with other colleges and universities across the UK now developing similar courses based on the pioneering blueprint first established at Yeovil College.
Mark added:
“Digital technologies are transforming dentistry, and it is essential that education evolves alongside industry. We’re proud that Yeovil College is helping to lead that change and providing new opportunities for learners while supporting an often unseen but incredibly important profession.”
The ITN feature highlights how innovation, partnership working and employer-led education can create meaningful solutions to national skills shortages while opening up exciting career opportunities for future generations.