Plans for an NHS dental facility and dental training centre at the University of Suffolk have been revealed.

The University of Suffolk and the Integrated Care Board’s idea has been hailed as a “game changer” in service provision across Suffolk.

The project which has been a year and a half in the preparation is looking at providing dental services as well as education and skills provision.

The clinic would be located at the James Hehir Building site would enable leading-edge education and training for the current and future dental workforce.

At a time when many cannot access local NHS dental provision, leading to some people extracting their own teeth and the formation of the Toothless in Suffolk Campaign group, the plan will see the formation of a centre for dental development on the University’s campus in Ipswich.

Last week, A W Brown in Felixstowe contacted NHS patients to say it would no longer be offering free care on the NHS from April 1, with concerns raised about access to an NHS dentist at MyDentist in Woodbridge. 

Professor Helen Langton, vice-chancellor at the University of Suffolk, said: “This plan will be a game changer in terms of future dental health provision in Suffolk and East Anglia.

Ipswich Star: Professor Helen Langton, vice-chancellor at the University of Suffolk, NewsquestProfessor Helen Langton, vice-chancellor at the University of Suffolk, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“The University of Suffolk, in partnership with the Integrated Care Board, our region’s MPs and NHS dentists, is determined to provide workforce solutions to the present oral health crisis.”

Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, added: “This is an incredibly positive step forward.

Ipswich Star: Dr Ed Garratt, chief executive at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, NewsquestDr Ed Garratt, chief executive at NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“Improving dental workforce and provision is a priority for the new NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, which will take on dental commissioning responsibility from April 2023.

“We recognise that this is a medium-term solution that will not fix the immediate challenges around dental access.

“However, we believe that our brilliant University of Suffolk will lay the foundations for improvements in the future, and we thank them for their partnership.”