Royal visitor opens dental facilities

The University of Suffolk’s Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) and teaching facilities were officially opened by His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, earlier today.

The £4.7 million facility in the University’s James Hehir Building features teaching labs for the University’s BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course and dedicated space for the Dental CIC to perform vital NHS treatments to patients from across Suffolk and North East Essex.

Joining HRH at the official opening event were civic leaders, University staff and students and senior NHS officials. The tour for the royal visit included an opportunity for HRH to see the new facilities, speak to a Dental CIC patient and chat to students on the Dental Hygiene and Therapy course – who also provided a demonstration in the labs.

The development marks a vital response by the University to the NHS dental challenges in the region, by training future dental health professionals and providing NHS dental appointments to those in need.

In addition to unveiling the plaque for the new Dental CIC, the University’s former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Langton, was also honoured for her contribution to the development of the Dental CIC and teaching facilities, with the unveiling of a plaque for the Dental CIC waiting room, which will be known as the Langton Lounge.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, said: “It was a real honour to welcome HRH the Duke of Gloucester to our new Centre for Dental Development, to see first-hand the impact these facilities are making.
 
“These impressive new facilities are enabling some of those in most urgent need of NHS dental treatment to access vital oral healthcare. We are equally proud of our role in training the dental professionals who will serve our community in the years to come.”

Dr Ed Garratt OBE, Chief Executive of NHS Suffolk and North Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “The University of Suffolk Dental CIC plays a key role in our strategy to improve NHS dental provision for local people and to end the so-called ‘dental desert’. This innovative partnership between the NHS and the university demonstrates how collaboration can positively benefit the health and wellbeing of our communities and it has been brilliant to see the excellent patient feedback so far.”

Lorraine Mattis, CEO of the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company, said: “As the University of Suffolk Dental CIC approaches its first anniversary, we are proud of our achievements in improving access to NHS dental services and supporting a dental workforce for the future. We remain committed to offering high-quality oral health care for the local community in Suffolk. We have seen first-hand the impact of our organisation, and we look forward to continuing to serve and support the oral health of our local community.”

The BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy programme, which welcomed its first cohort in February 2024 and a further 25 students in September last year, has already proved popular, with well over 20 applicants per place on the course.

As well as benefitting from the bespoke teaching labs, the students will also conduct more than 200 placement hours per year with NHS dental care providers in Suffolk and North Essex and at the Dental CIC.

The Dental CIC was commissioned by SNEE ICB, and began treating patients in spring last year, offering essential NHS healthcare to those in the community who have struggled to get NHS appointments.

The Dental CIC was 'Highly Commended' for the Excellence in Primary Care and Community Care Award at the prestigious NHS Parliamentary Awards and one of the key factors behind the University being named Community University of the Year by The Mail University Guide in September 2024.

To find out more about the Dental CIC and how to access healthcare, visit the website here.

For more information on the BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course, visit the University webpage here.