University of Plymouth to offer dental appointments to local school

Children from Whitleigh Primary School will remain patients with Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise until 16 years of age
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The University of Plymouth's Peninsula Dental School is offering dental appointments to children at Whitleigh Primary School.
Thanks to its clinical partner, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE), the appointments will be offered to all students in keys stages one and two, with children remaining patients up until the age of 16.
The move was made alongside Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View – which includes Whitleigh – and is hoped to be rolled out to more schools across Plymouth. 
PDSE offers NHS dental treatment across the South West to people who might not otherwise be able to access it, and students on the University of Plymouth’s dentistry and dental therapy and hygiene courses deliver the appointments under supervision. 
As part of their degree, the students also complete a project with PDSE to deliver oral health education sessions to organisations around the city, including schools and charities.

The 22,000 NHS waiting list won’t slash itself overnight, but initiatives like these will go a long way to addressing the problem. I pay tribute to PDSE for their innovative work in this space. It’s the first marker in my mission to transform healthcare in Plymouth.

Johnny Mercer, MP for Plymouth Moor View

As soon as we became aware of Whitleigh School and their campaign, we wanted to help, so I am delighted we have been able to. We are keen to do even more, and we are discussing ways of doing this with Devon ICB. We can’t solve the crisis in the city, but we are ready to play our part.

Robert WittonRobert Witton
PDSE Chief Executive, and Professor of Community Dentistry at the University of Plymouth

Johnny Mercer and PDSE’s Directors sit on the cross-party Dental Task Force, set up by key stakeholders to join up the city’s response to the crisis.

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