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Plymouth is the first dental school in the UK to teach its students in a primary care setting, in purpose designed Dental Education Facilities (DEFs) in Plymouth, Truro and Exeter run by the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise. There, students treat NHS patients under the supervision of qualified dental professionals.  Since the first DEF opened in 2008 around 18,000 people in Devon and Cornwall have had access to NHS dental treatment where they may not have done so before.

As well as early and consistent experience of clinical practice, dental students also interact with groups within the wider community to raise oral health awareness and improve access to dental care for vulnerable and excluded people. Community activities are run by the Community Engagement Team at the Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise.

Professor Christopher Tredwin, Head of Plymouth University Peninsula School of Dentistry, commented: “We are delighted with this result and my thanks go to our students, our patients, members of staff and the many community and professional groups with which we work, for this superb achievement.”