Students from Plymouth University’s Peninsula Dental School treat paediatric patients under the supervision of qualified and experienced dental health professionals. The service forms part of PDSE’s mission to improve oral health across the South West and ensure access to dental care for all, especially those groups who may feel excluded from mainstream dentistry.

Recognised nationally and internationally for its groundbreaking work in oral health, PDSE spearheads initiatives to tackle the growing problem of childhood tooth decay.

New data analysis published by the Faculty of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons shows a 24 per cent increase in the number of children under five having teeth removed under anaesthetic in hospital, from 7,444 in 2006/7 to 9,206 in 2015/16.
Dr. Robert Witton, Director of Social Engagement and Community-based Dentistry at PDSE, says: “It’s a very sad fact that more and more children are being admitted to hospital with dental problems that are almost entirely preventable. That’s why we’re delighted to offer local children the opportunity to attend clinics at our Exeter facility.”

Patents gave the PDSE clinics at Exeter, Plymouth and Truro a resounding ‘thumbs-up’ in a recent survey.
Ninety-nine per cent of patient respondents said they were extremely likely or likely to recommend PDSE to friends and family and 98 per cent rated the service they received as good or excellent.
There was particular praise in the survey for dental students with 97 per cent of patients who responded feeling that the student who treated them was good or excellent. A similar percentage rated the students’ understanding and responses to questions as good or excellent.

Further information about children’s clinics is available at www.peninsuladental.org.uk or by phoning 0345 155 8109, weekdays from 9am until 4.30pm.