The NIHR-supported Incubator for Oral Health Research: informing policy across the UK

Key points

• There is a need to build the research workforce addressing policy-relevant questions in oral health

• The National Institute of Health and Social Care Research has recognised this need and is supporting an Incubator for Oral Health Research: informing policy across the UK

• The Incubator will build capacity in oral health research by identifying barriers to careers, developing and training a diverse community and forging links between researchers, policymakers and stakeholders

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References

1. National Centre for Social Research. Adult Oral Health Survey. A report on the findings of the Adult Oral Health Survey 2023. 2025. Available at https://natcen.ac.uk/publications/adult-oral-health-survey (accessed 4 June 2026)

2. UK Parliament. NHS dentistry – Health and Social Care Committee Report. 2023. Available at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmhealth/964/summary.html(accessed 5 June 2026)

3. Dental Schools Council. A shrinking oral health clinical academic workforce puts research, education and the NHS at risk. 2026. Available at https://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/news/a-shrinking-oral-health-clinical-academic-workforce-puts-research-education-and-the-nhs-at-risk/ (accessed 5 June 2026)

4. National Institute of Health, Care Research. Incubators to support research capacity. 2026. Available at https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/research-career-funding-programmes/supporting-career-development/incubators (accessed 5 June 2026)

5. National Institute of Health, Social Care Research. Highlight notice: oral and dental health. 2026. Available at https://www.nihr.ac.uk/research-funding/themed-funding-opportunities/oral-dental-health-highlight-notice (accessed 5 June 2026)

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Authors and Affiliations

1. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom

   Zoe Marshman & Clare M. Bartlett

2. Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom

   Christopher R. Vernazza

Authors

1. Zoe MarshmanView author publications

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2. Christopher R. VernazzaView author publications

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3. Clare M. BartlettView author publications

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Competing interests

The Incubator is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The views expressed here are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. CV is a trustee of the Oral and Dental Research Trust and Alliance for a Cavity Free Future and his employer receives remuneration for consultancy work for Haleon

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Marshman, Z., Vernazza, C. & Bartlett, C. The NIHR-supported Incubator for Oral Health Research: informing policy across the UK.
Br Dent J241, 121–122 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-026-0048-2

• Received:12 June 2026

• Accepted:26 June 2026

• Published:24 July 2026

• Version of record:24 July 2026

• Issue date:24 July 2026

• DOI
  :https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-026-0048-2