Lincolnshire dentist shortage could be tackled by new training college after £1.5million grant is awarded
Lincolnshire’s shortage of dentists could be coming to an end after a £1.5million grant was awarded to establish a new training college.
The Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health will be established after the University of Lincoln secured the money from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Lincolnshire is one of the worst regions for access to dentists with many clinics struggling to find staff. One South Holland professional had previously told us that ‘trying to find a dentist was like finding a unicorn’.
A shortage of dentists has become a big issue for the county with 40% of Boston five-year-olds reported to have tooth decay while children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities were found to be let down by the lack of access to dentists and doctors.
Many people have also struggled to get into a NHS dentist - but that could change thanks to this new scheme.
The university will now be able to launch education programmes to help 30 people a year to train and qualify for careers in dental hygiene and therapy.
Prof Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “We are delighted to have secured this grant funding which will support the establishment of the new Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health at the University of Lincoln.
“Across Greater Lincolnshire we have a strong track record of organisations coming together to respond to local needs, tackling skills gaps, supporting growth, improving services, and expanding educational and career opportunities for local people.
“Our purpose as a university is to transform lives and communities. This is a key first step in our longer-term ambition to create a full dental school in the region.”
The LIDOH will offer a new BSc in Dental Hygiene and Therapy alongside a foundation course designed to help dental nurses and other healthcare professionals retrain and upskill.
The funding will also enable the university to redevelop existing facilities to create bespoke clinical teaching spaces, equipped with the latest digital and simulation technology.
It is hoped that this new institute will build on the university’s previous success in health workforce development and healthcare research – following the establishment of the Lincoln Medical School, and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health.
Dr Sunil Hindocha, Medical Director at NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, added: “The ICB is fully supportive of the development of the Lincolnshire Institute of Dental and Oral Health (LIDOH).
“It is a great initiative which aligns to our strategic dental workforce theme to improve dental recruitment and training in the county and we believe it will have a significant and positive impact on future dental care in the county.”
The UK Shared Prosperity money has been distributed by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority.
Mayor Dame Andrea Jenkyns said: “All of this is good news for residents, as we turn around the lack of dental provision across Greater Lincolnshire, helping us ‘grow our own’ talent. The long-term hope is that the University can eventually host a dental school to address the shortage of dentists.”