The University of Lincoln has announced plans to establish a training centre specialising in dental hygiene and therapy, intending to open its doors by 2026. The centre, benefitting from £1.5 million in funding provided by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority (GLCCA), represents a substantial move towards mitigating Lincolnshire’s heightened dental care needs. University Vice Chancellor, Prof Neal Juster, has shared plans of possibly broadening this initiative to a full dental school, acknowledging Lincolnshire’s ongoing struggle with inadequate dental care provisions.
The newly announced Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health will be integrated within the University’s Medical School. It will offer a BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy, and also a foundation course aimed at dental nurses and healthcare professionals aspiring to advance their skills. The centre’s initial goal is to welcome around 30 students in its first year, thereby increasing the number of available dental appointments for local community members.
The GLCCA allocated the funding received from the government’s Shared Prosperity Fund with unanimous approval. The initiative received strong support from Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who underscored its prospective benefits for the Lincolnshire community. In the same meeting, Councillor Ingrid Sheard, representing Spalding Elloe, was appointed deputy mayor of greater Lincolnshire.
This story was derived from original reporting found on the website of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
