Woman who had over 25 teeth removed welcomes University of Suffolk's new dental facilities
New dental facilities at the University of Suffolk are giving people like her much-needed treatment
It seems the University of Suffolk is already helping to improve people's lives with its new dental facilities.
The £4.7 million facility in the University’s James Hehir Building features teaching labs for the University’s BSc Dental Hygiene and Therapy course and dedicated space for the Dental CIC to perform vital NHS treatments to patients from across Suffolk and North East Essex.
The development marks a response by the University to the NHS dental challenges in the region, by training future dental health professionals and providing NHS dental appointments to those in need.
It is now officially open following a visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, but they've been running for around a year and Millie is one of the people it's already helped.
Millie's Story
Millie was very ill last June with what she thought was an abscess in her mouth. It turned out to be a very severe eye infection.
Millie went to A&E to have this checked out and within 24 hours she was having major surgery due to the severity of the eye infection.
During the operation, they extracted 22 teeth and Millie was on intravenous antibiotics and painkillers in hospital until she was released.
Millie told us she's now had over 25 teeth removed.
There was no follow-up regarding assistance with her teeth and what could be done to help her.
Unfortunately, Millie was left without any option to replace the teeth that she lost during the operation, coming as a massive shock to her.
This left her to function without any dental support following the operation.
She told us she went to see six dentists, all of which were unable to help her: "Everyone said they couldn't help unless I went private, the cost of private was roughly £2000 upwards for the full set of my teeth, it was absolutely crazy."
"I just felt lost, completely lost"
Millie suffers from PTSD, saying missing her teeth had a huge impact on her self-esteem, mood and additional trauma.
Mille spent a lot of time trying to get help and finding out her options, but unfortunately, she was met with consistent blocks to getting any assistance.
"I couldn't do things that I wanted to do, I couldn't go out. I just felt like I couldn't talk I just always felt I would get judged.
"I was too scared to walk my dog around the block because I thought people would stare at me. My mental health got bad throughout it. I just felt lost, completely lost."
Millie decided to reach out to her MP Nick Timothy.
The MP's team reached out to the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company to see if they could help.
Treatments Millie has had
Below is all the clinical work that Millie has received from the University of Suffolk Dental Community Interest Company.
Clinical Work Report
Millie had an initial thorough examination, and all special tests required with their therapist. This also included intraoral photographs of the remaining 10 teeth for our records.
Millie was diagnosed with the following
- Missing teeth- at least 22 teeth were missing with only 10 remaining, requiring a top and bottom denture to restore aesthetics, function and health.
- Dental decay- of the ten teeth remaining, x3 had decay requiring fillings
- Gum disease- in the areas with remaining teeth, requiring cleaning and future support
- Tooth surface loss through erosion- requiring monitoring and oral health education.
Millie was a high risk for further tooth loss when she was examined and had oral health education sessions embedded within all appointments.
The treatment completed for Millie included tailored oral health advice and prevention, regular monitoring and stabilisation of disease processes through cleaning and removal and filling of decay to stabilise her decay by the therapist.
A partial upper and partial lower denture was also made for Millie by a dentist, and she continues to see us for checkups, advice and maintenance.
Millie has had a total of 10 appointments with them to date and receives ongoing care from a variety of staff within the University of Suffolk Dental CIC including our therapists, dentists, oral health educators, nurses and senior experienced NHS practitioners.
The University of Suffolk Dental CIC said "establishing rapport and trust with Millie was key to achieving dental success and we successfully have managed to avoid a further general anaesthesia or sedation for her, as well as resolve her initial problem of lack of teeth.
"By tailoring our approach and communicating with her in the way she required to reduce any dental anxiety and exacerbate trauma, we have had a successful journey for Millie to improve her oral health and continue to work with her to keep her free from dental disease and issues."
Millie told us, they've restored her smile and her life.
"It changed my life massively and completely. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't know where I would be if it wasn't for the University of Suffolk. I was at a point that was the lowest of the lowest and they brought my confidence back."