As concern grows about the state of dentistry in the UK, three of Suffolk's MPs have visited the new dentistry training school in Ipswich to see how it might help.

The school is part of the University of Suffolk and will help train dentistry nurses and technicians - and will also offer thousands of NHS dental treatments every year.

Ipswich MP Tom Hunt, South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge and Waveney MP Peter Aldous had a preview tour of the University’s Centre for Dental Development which includes new teaching rooms for its BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy.

The MPs also visited the dental practice rooms which will be operated by the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company (Dental CIC) which is housed in the same building. 

The MPs were shown around by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Langton. 

The first cohort of students on the Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy course started their studies this week. 

The new NHS dental practice is still being equipped and recruiting its new team and expects to offer its first appointments in Spring.  

It will focus on the patients in Suffolk and Northeast Essex in greatest need and will eventually provide an additional 18,000 hours of NHS dental appointments a year. 

When the service is up and running, it will treat patients referred by NHS 111, improving access to dental and oral health care for local people. It will also offer placements for the students on their degree programmes which is an important part of their learning. 

Lorraine Mattis, CEO of the Dental CIC, said: “While we may not be able to solve this issue alone, we will make a real difference to those in greatest need and support the local community by delivering the best possible dental care and actively promoting oral health improvement.” 

Mr Hunt said: “I am in awe of what’s been achieved by the University of Suffolk working with the NHS. It will make a really powerful and tangible difference to the lives of my constituents.” 

Mr Cartlidge added: “This is a brilliant initiative, delivering vital new dental care capacity for Suffolk. 

“I very much look forward to this coming on stream so that we can both treat patients and train new dental professionals.”