National success for Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise

PDSE won the Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards
PDSE won the Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year category at the UK Social Enterprise Awards
The Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) – which provides treatment and care for people across the South West while helping train the next generation of dentists – has won a major national award.
The organisation, a subsidiary of the University of Plymouth, was among the winners at the UK Social Enterprise Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of social enterprise.
It collected the Community-Based Social Enterprise of the Year category, sponsored by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, which is presented to a social enterprise that trades for the benefit of their community, making a real local impact.
Since it was established in 2013, PDSE has collected numerous regional and national accolades at events including The Dentistry Awards, the Oral Health Awards, and the Parliamentary Awards. It has also featured for several years within the NatWest SE 100 Index, which lists the UK’s top social enterprises.
The staff at, and work of, PDSE were also integral in enabling the University to retain its position as the UK’s best place to study dentistry in the 2025 Guardian University Guide, and in helping it win the Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at the Times Higher Education Awards 2023.

We were thrilled to be recognised by Social Enterprise UK for our pioneering community approach and its impact. To win such a prestigious national award in the social enterprise sector is a proud moment of recognition for the entire team.

PDSE is a real success story, and our work is delivering much needed access to dental care across Devon and Cornwall, while at the same time educating the next generation of dental professionals in a community setting. Our work also extends well beyond our clinics, and we work directly in local communities to promote and support oral health improvements for the most vulnerable in society.

Robert WittonProfessor Robert Witton
PDSE Chief Executive and Professor of Community Dentistry

PDSE operates from four clinics across Devon and Cornwall, two in Plymouth and one each in Truro and Exeter.
Within the clinics, more than 430 students on the University’s Dental Surgery and Dental Therapy and Hygiene programmes work alongside experienced staff to hone their skills.
In the past year, they have provided well over 35,000 appointments to almost 6,500 patients, many of them with complex needs and including refugees and people experiencing homelessness.
They achieved outstanding levels of patient satisfaction, with 100% of patients reporting they were satisfied with the overall outcome of their care, the time to get an appointment and the helpfulness of staff.
The organisation also delivers a range of community-based projects working with local schools, charities, voluntary and support groups to support better oral health in our communities.
 
Dental Hygiene

Peninsula Dental School

Representatives from the University are presented with their award by broadcaster and author Sandi Toksvig

University wins Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community category at Times Higher Education Awards 2023

Nicola Brown from the Community Engagement Team at PDSE with pupils at Prince Rock Primary School

Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE)