Home / Health / New Dental Institute Opens in Lincoln
New Dental Institute Opens in Lincoln
8 Mar
Summary
- A new dental institute has opened at the University of Lincoln.
- It will offer a BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy starting September.
- The institute received £1.5m in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health (LIDOH) has officially opened its doors at the University of Lincoln, aiming to significantly improve dental care access. The institute will commence offering a new Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and Therapy from September, training 30 students each year. This initiative is supported by a £1.5 million investment from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
This development is particularly crucial for Lincolnshire, which faces long waiting times for NHS dental appointments. The institute's strategic focus on recruiting local individuals, including experienced dental nurses through a dedicated gateway year, seeks to build a homegrown talent pool. Advanced clinical simulation technology, including a 'phantom head' unit, will provide students with hands-on training.
England's chief dental officer, Jason Wong, attended the opening and highlighted the potential for increased appointments resulting from the training program. Longer-term ambitions for LIDOH include establishing a full dental school, pending national approval. Local officials anticipate this will greatly enhance NHS dental service provision across the county.
