The University of Lancashire has launched a low-cost dental treatment programme to help patients in Lancashire and South Cumbria access complex oral surgery amid growing delays in care.
The treatments will be delivered at the University’s Dental Clinic on its Preston campus by fully qualified dentists undertaking postgraduate training. All procedures will be carried out under local anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation.
The range of services includes the surgical removal of buried teeth or retained roots, surgical root canal treatment, and wisdom tooth surgery. The clinic will accept patients who have been formally referred for specialist dental treatment and who are facing extended waiting times in hospitals or dental practices.
Kate Taylor, professor of oral surgery at the University of Lancashire, said demand for dental care has reached critical levels, with more than 4,000 patients in Lancashire currently waiting for specialist appointments.
She said the university’s Community Dental Clinic, led by experienced specialists and consultants, is designed to ease pressure on the wider health system while ensuring patients receive timely care.
“At our centre of excellence, patients benefit from affordable access to complex dental treatment, while qualified dentists gain valuable experience performing advanced procedures using state-of-the-art facilities,” Taylor said.
The initiative aims to address urgent community needs while supporting the development of the next generation of dental specialists.