Norfolk MP campaigning to create more local dental training colleges
Jerome Mayhew made the case for one to be set up at the UEA during a recent debate
A Norfolk MP is campaigning to create more dental training colleges in our county and beyond- to boost local people's access to healthcare.
Jerome Mayhew made the case for one to be set up at the UEA during a recent debate- but this initially regretted by ministers.
"Then we'll be able to fix the long-term problem"
He told us why he's continuing to push for this:
"The number of dentists we have per 100 thousand of the population in Norfolk as a whole, is much lower than the national average. That's because if you grow up round here and you want to be a dentist or dental technician, the nearest place you can train is Birmingham or London. It's therefore hardly surprising that we have many fewer dentists than many other parts of the country.
"In Devon they've got a dental school in Plymouth, and they have got 49 dentists per 100 thousand of the population, and we have got 39. So, it makes a big difference if we can get some training in place in the East, ideally in Norwich, then we'll be able to fix the long-term problem we have with a local of dentists".
"They can learn on the job and start to help people"
He told us he's recently had positive conversations with the UEA and others:
"They the UEA tell me that they can start the school by September 2024 and right from the get-go, students will be working at least one day a week in the community at dental practice throughout Norfolk so they can learn on the job and start to help people with their dental health, right from the first year of their training",
"There are plans developing around Ipswich with the University of Suffolk to lure newly qualified dentists to do further training there. So, that would be a quicker fix and I don't think there should be competition between what might happen in Norwich and Ipswich- we should be working together".