Discussions Underway For New Dental Course At Plymouth University
Discussions are underway for a new course in dental hygiene and therapy at Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry.
Plans for the new dental course were discussed during a visit to the university by Dr Barry Cockcroft, chief dental officer for England. Dr Cockcroft visited the university to see how far the university has come since the first dental students started their studies in 2008.
Since the Bachelor of Dentistry course started in 2008, more than 13,500 from Cornwall and Devon have access to dental services. These helpful services have been provided by the Dental Education Facility in Derriford and three other outreach centres run by the university. Dr Cockcroft visited the Derriford centre as part of his visit to the university.
During his visit, Dr Cockcroft discussed plans to launch a new dental hygiene and therapy course. If the course is approved, it will start in September 2014 and students will integrate with dental students to reflect general practice in the real world. The students will also undertake clinical training at the dental education facilities in Devon and Cornwall.
Claire McIlwaine, a lecturer in oral health and a dental hygienist, said that the university recognises the importance of the roles played by dental hygienists and therapists and it seems a logical step to introduce a new course in dental hygiene and therapy. She added that the plans are very exciting and said that she was delighted to be a part of the discussions.
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