The University of Lancashire has increased its number of dentistry clinical teaching bays from sixteen to 24 thanks to funding from the Office for Students (OfS).
The additional eight state-of-the-art dentistry bays will be used by dentistry students to hone their skills in a clinical setting, treating patients for both general dentistry and specialist treatment.
The OfS funding of more than £1.8 million, has allowed the University’s School of Medicine and Dentistry to purchase eight ADEC 500 Dental Chairs, providing superior comfort, precise positioning and optimal access. The new unit is attached to the School’s existing clinical facilities, which already hosts Dental Cone Beam CT Scanners and Zeiss dental operating microscopes.
Students will have access to newly installed digital workflow for prosthetic treatments, using three shape trios six wireless digital scanners and form lab 3d printers.
The students using the new facilities will include those on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery international (BDSi) programme, which prepares qualified overseas dentists for practice and registration in the UK and has achieved 100% graduation rate since its launch in 2022.
Unlike other routes to registration in the UK where competency is tested solely through exams, this General Dental Council (GDC) approved unique approach not only ensures graduates are up to the correct standard to practice in the UK but allows local patients to benefit from reduced cost treatment.
Until recently, all clinical placements for the BDSi course were based in Falmouth through the School’s strong partnership with MyDentist. This new development means that BDSi students can also undertake their clinical work on site in Preston treating local patients.
University of Lancashire Head of Dentistry Dr Claudia Cunningham said: “The model with MyDentist has proven highly successful, but we’re excited to take the next step in widening our impact.
“Our expanded dental facilities in Preston now support clinical training for a further 16 students. These students will provide care to staff, fellow students, and the wider Lancashire population. In addition, by opening a new clinical unit in Preston, we’re also encourage graduates to build their careers in the North West.”
Professor StJohn Crean, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, was instrumental in securing the OFS funding for the expansion.
He said: “Since opening in 2008, the University of Lancashire’s School of Medicine and Dentisty has been on a journey fuelled by an ambition to achieve the highest academic reputation. This OfS funding is evidence of our success and our continued efforts to train health care professionals across the spectrum in response to the needs of the region’s healthcare economy.”
