'Deep End' networks for dentistry
Research highlights a new approach to tackle inequalities in dental care
27 August 2025
Applying the Deep End concept to dentistry
Deep End dental practices are mainly clustered in areas around Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham and London. People from these communities have more pain, are more likely to have to go to hospital with dental problems, and sometimes resort to DIY dentistry.
Dental practices who serve these communities struggle to find and keep staff, and patients struggle to access dental care.
The new research suggests that Deep End networks for dentistry, which mirror the GP model, could provide a solution to current challenges.
We know that dental teams working with socioeconomically disadvantaged communities benefit from mutual support and there is a real need for a powerful movement for identity, advocacy and action, so we recommend establishing Deep End networks for dentistry.
‘Much needed focus’
Discussions are now underway to explore a Deep End dental group in the North East and North Cumbria.
Dr Sarah Sowden, co-author of the paper and Senior Clinical Lecturer and Consultant in Public Health at Newcastle University, said: “This research provides a much needed focus on the dental workforce supporting those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities who experience poorer health across the board.”
Morag Burton, Network Director for the NIHR North East and North Cumbria Regional Research Delivery Network, said: “Deep End networks have had a significant impact on raising the profile and addressing some of the health inequalities we see in primary care. This research provides an important step to exploring how the Deep End concept could work in dentistry.”
The Deep End GP Network NENC has become an important area of collaboration for the NIHR in the North East and North Cumbria and beyond.