Duke of Gloucester opens dental facilities in Ipswich

On Tuesday, the University of Suffolk's Dental Community Interest Company (CIC) was officially opened by Prince Richard, the Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO. 

The new facility launched last year and is found inside the James Hehir Building by the Waterfront.

His Royal Highness said that the new community will make a difference for the county town, stating: "It seems that you are very proud of your achievement because you know it will make a difference for Suffolk."

The duke said that this will make a difference for Suffolk  (Image: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown Photography) The facility has cost £4.7million with space that features teaching labs for dental hygiene and therapy as well as provided a dedicated space for patients across Suffolk and north east Essex. 

The Duke of Gloucester added: "I am glad to have come to Ipswich today, to your university, and to help you officially open this new course.

"It is an opportunity to congratulate those who solve the problem.

"As far as I can see, everybody knows that there aren't enough dentists and that as a new university, you are more flexible than the old traditional ones, which teach maths, English, Law and all those traditional things.

"You look and see that we are short of dentists, so right, we will teach dentistry."

Professor Jenny Higham said that this was an impressive new facility (Image: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown Photography) The university's vice-chancellor, Professor Jennny Higham, said: "It was a real honour to welcome HRH the Duke of Cloucester to our new Centre for Dental Development and see first-hand the impact these facilities are making.

"These impressive new facilities are enabling some of those in most urgent need of NHS dental treatment to access vital oral healthcare. 

"We are equally proud of our role in training the dental professionals who will serve our community in the years to come."

For the full coverage of the royal visit and opening of the facility, read tomorrow's Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times.