The leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council has revealed the town's new development could provide 18,000 hours of NHS dental care.

Building work has already commenced on a regeneration project in Great Yarmouth’s town centre known as The Place. The plans include £17m to create a library and learning centre.

At a Norfolk County Council meeting on May 7, 2024, Carl Smith, the leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, revealed talks are underway to bring five dentist chairs to The Place.

According to the Great Yarmouth Mercury, Carl said, “We are very keen to bring dentistry to the town centre at The Place.

"We are in talks with the ICB (integrated care board), Norfolk County Council and the University of Suffolk on trying to make this happen, and we are looking forward to discussions over the coming weeks."

Carl explained the bid is inspired by a scheme from the University of Suffolk, which saw a dental clinic launched in its James Hehir building. The facility “is looking at providing 18,000 hours of NHS-only dental appointments in that area."

There is space for five dental chairs, Carl added. He believes a comparable scheme would be a fantastic opportunity and enable more dental professionals to be trained.

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