Cardiff University opens £2m dental simulation suite
2 December 2016
Students studying at Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry will now have access to a brand-new simulation suite, providing them with the latest equipment for practising all aspects of dentistry.
The highly sophisticated training facility, opened today by Vaughan Gething AM, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, will allow trainee dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists to perform procedures on simulation manikins before entering patient clinics.
“This new teaching facility will provide a state-of-the-art environment for the preclinical training of the dental workforce for Wales."
Professor Mike Lewis, Dean and Head of the School of Dentistry, said: "Importantly, this development will also facilitate the training of dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists together as a multi-professional group, which in turn will achieve the Welsh Government’s desire to deliver the most effective health care to the population.”
“The School of Dentistry is widely recognised as a leader in the UK. This cutting-edge technology will ensure that students training in Wales can learn and develop their skills in an environment that will prepare them well for practice."
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething added: “Bringing dental therapists, dental hygienists and dentists together to train will better reflect their future work environment and I believe that patients will benefit from this.”
It is important that all dental students learn the basic skills of dentistry in a safe environment such as the new simulation suite before moving to a clinic where they will see their own patients under close supervision. The suite will allow students to learn a number of clinical skills including simple fillings; gum treatments; endodontic procedures; crown and bridgework; denture work; and surgical extractions. In addition they will learn the associated technical skills of crown and denture construction.
The refurbished suite will also ensure the School continues to meet General Dental Council regulations to ensure patient protection and will vastly improve student experience.
Undergraduate dental student Thomas Cole said: "We’re all delighted with the brand-new Clinical Skills Lab here at Cardiff Dental School. These state-of-the-art facilities enable us to develop our practical skills in a perfect environment before moving onto the patient clinics. We feel very proud and privileged to have been given the opportunity to learn in such fantastic facilities!"
Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry is the only dental school in Wales, providing unique and important leadership in dental research, teaching and patient care. Ranked first among UK dental schools by both the Guardian and the Times Good University Guide 2016, its academic and clinical staff are recognised as being world-leading experts in their fields, providing valuable clinical services to the people of Wales in addition to their academic responsibilities. The School also achieved a 95% score for overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey – BDS (2016) and a 96% score for learning resources.
