Plymouth dental school hopes to encourage graduates to stay in the South West
Plymouth’s dental school is on a mission to encourage graduates to stay in the South West amid growing shortages of dentists.
Professor Zoe Brookes, from Peninsula Dental School at the University of Plymouth, said that persuading graduates who train in the region to stay local is “absolutely key,” with a severe shortage of dentists in the area contributing to long waiting times for treatment.
The University of Plymouth trains 58 dentists per year. Dental students train for five years and during their final year, they spend four days a week honing their practical skills treating local patients. The university is keen to encourage more graduates to stay in the region once they graduate to ease pressure on existing services and boost dentist numbers. The South West is one of the worst affected areas in terms of NHS dental access.
Prof Sally Hanks added that the university is also recruiting local students and urging them to consider a career in dentistry through a range of activities, which target students who may not be likely to think about dentistry but have the abilities to explore such career options.
Amy Evans is one patient who has benefited from the university’s outreach programme. Recently, she was referred to the dental school to see trainee dentists after being unable to get an NHS dental appointment for several years. She had an abscess removed and is due to go back to the centre for further treatment. Amy said that the service was “brilliant.”
Final year dental student, Jonathan Gould, said that there is clearly a need for dentists in the area and he sees himself staying local for a long time after he graduates. He enjoys meeting patients and he wants to work in a place where he will make an impact.
For more news click here.
Join this Discussion