The University of Suffolk’s Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) and teaching facilities were officially opened by His Royal Highness (HRH) the Duke of Gloucester on March 4, 2025.

The £4.7m facility features teaching labs for the University’s BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course and dedicated space for the dental CIC to perform vital NHS treatments to patients from across Suffolk and North East Essex.

Joining HRH at the opening event were civic leaders, university staff and students, and senior NHS officials. The tour for the royal visit included an opportunity for HRH to see the new facilities, speak to a dental CIC patient, and chat to students on the dental hygiene and therapy course.

Jenny Higham, vice-chancellor of the University of Suffolk, said, “It was a real honour to welcome HRH the Duke of Gloucester to our new Centre for Dental Development, to see first-hand the impact these facilities are making.

“These impressive new facilities are enabling some of those in most urgent need of NHS dental treatment to access vital oral healthcare. We are equally proud of our role in training the dental professionals who will serve our community in the years to come.”

The development marks a vital response by the university to the NHS dental challenges in the region, by training future dental health professionals and providing NHS dental appointments to those in need.

Ed Garratt, chief executive of NHS Suffolk and North Essex Integrated Care Board, said, “The University of Suffolk Dental CIC plays a key role in our strategy to improve NHS dental provision for local people and to end the so-called ‘dental desert’. This innovative partnership between the NHS and the university demonstrates how collaboration can positively benefit the health and wellbeing of our communities, and it has been brilliant to see the excellent patient feedback so far.”

In addition to unveiling the plaque for the new dental CIC, the university’s former vice-chancellor, Helen Langton, was also honoured for her contribution to the development of the dental CIC and teaching facilities. A plaque was unveiled for the dental CIC waiting room, which will be known as the Langton Lounge.

HRH the Duke of Gloucester unveils the plaques with vice-chancellor Jenny Higham.

The BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy programme, which welcomed its first cohort in February 2024 and a further 25 students in September 2024, has already proved popular, with well over 20 applicants per place on the course.

Lorraine Mattis, CEO of the University of Suffolk Dental CIC, said, “As the University of Suffolk Dental CIC approaches its first anniversary, we are proud of our achievements in improving access to NHS dental services and supporting a dental workforce for the future. We remain committed to offering high-quality oral health care for the local community in Suffolk. We have seen first-hand the impact of our organisation, and we look forward to continuing to serve and support the oral health of our local community.”

Photo credit: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown Photography

For more information visit https://suffolkdentalcic.co.uk/

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