DTS supports the opening of Coatbridge College’s School of Dental Studies
08−07−2010
On 7th of June the minister of Public Health and Sport, Shona Robinson MSP, opened the most advanced, state-of-the-art dental school in Scotland - Coatbridge College School of Dental Studies.
‘I am delighted that Coatbridge College is taking the initiative to provide students with local opportunities to train as dental care professionals. Dental care professionals provide a vital service and it is essential that ongoing training is available. This fantastic new facility will significantly contribute to the number of training places in Scotland.Everyone in Scotland should have access to good quality healthcare and good oral health is an integral part of this’ – Shona Robinson MSP, Minster of Public Health and Sport.
Many great names in dentistry attended the opening including DTS. An international Dental Laboratory who have been privileged to support the development of the Dental School. They are also dedicated to work with the School as it continues to grow and develop.
Sandy Littlejohn, Director of DTS remarked:
‘A successful dentist not only needs to understand what his/her patient needs but also the best way to implement that treatment. There’s only so much a text book can teach you and this facility will provide young dental professionals with opportunities to learn which were few and far between before. Coatbridge College is fantastic and every dental training facility in Scotland and the UK should use this model as a base, not for their own benefits but for their students.’
Sandy Littlejohn and Shona Robinson MSP were, like everyone at the opening, impressed. Not only has Coatbridge College taken the initiative to take dental professional training to the next level they have also invested in it whole heartedly providing their students with everything they need to train and learn effectively. The School of Dental Studies is located at Duart House, Strathclyde Business Park an impressive development which provides student and teacher with an exceptional amount of space and flexibility.
The new Dental facility includes a dedicated reception area, as well as office and administration rooms, teaching rooms with dental chairs and a state of the art clinical skills room. The clinical skills room, the center-piece to the new School, features 14 phantom head stations, with the lecturers’ station fitted with a high-tech endoscope that links to a flat screen television. This provides learners with a greater demonstration of techniques and enhances their learning with real hands on experience.
With a highly motivated and enthusiastic teaching team, the School of Dental Studies has been created to fulfil the needs of the Dental profession and support industry across the UK and beyond, and it offers a range of dental nursing programmes at every level, from Higher entry level to Intermediate level. The School has introduced qualifications in Dental Technology, a Diploma in Orthodontic Therapy and a wide range of bespoke qualifications, including Introduction to Dental Implants and the completion of the Scottish Dental Practice Board’s GP17, as well as their newest qualification, an HND in Dental Nursing, pioneered by Jennifer Lowe, Head of School for the new School of Dental Studies.
Jennifer said:
‘It has been an exciting journey to get to where we are today. The School has so much potential as we look to the future and realise the difference we can make as an education establishment. Our passion is education and we want to make sure we’re getting it right for our learners’.
John Doyle, Principal and Chief Executive at Coatbridge College, echoed Jennifer’s vision for the future of the Dental School:
‘We have a first class, modern facility which we will utilise by listening to the profession and the industry to further develop our partnership to improve dental healthcare across Scotland.We want to build, not only a Scottish base, but a UK and an international centre of excellence for dental studies. We have an excellent team and state of the art facilities, I am confident we will become a centre of excellence for dental education across Scotland’.
