No screams as phantoms transform dental training

Sep 26 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THEY are the world’s best behaved patients, guaranteed not to scream as teeth are pulled or cavities drilled.

And today they will revolu-tionise the training of the next generation of dentists in Liverpool.

Traditionally the more experienced undergraduates at Liverpool Dental Hospital have practised on human guinea pigs.

Humans with toothache will still be welcome, but as part of a £6m investment the school has bought 46 phantom heads.

The investment will transform the Pembroke Place school into one of Europe’s largest facilities for training dentists. Today sees the opening of the new £1.1m Operative Skills Suite, with its compliant 46 ‘phantoms’.

These will enable University of Liverpool dental students to develop clinical skills on a life-like replica of a human mouth. The suite features digital X-ray imaging connected to each unit so students can view clinical demonstrations as they learn.ŠŠ

The opening of the suite by the UK’s chief dental officer is part of a £6m investment by the Depart-ment of Health and the Higher Education Funding Council for England in enhanced teaching facilities in the School of Dentist-ry. It will enable the famous school to increase student places from 275 to 400 by 2009.Š

The investment programme includes the construction of five sedation suites and five oral surgery suites, state-of-the-art training facilities, new tutorial rooms, enhanced patient facilities, and new laboratories.

A specialist unit for patients with disabilities will also be created. The unit has been specially designed to accommo-date wheelchair users, with street level access and larger areas for administering treatment.ŠSeda-tion and recovery facilities have also been designed for patients with special needs in mind.Š

Professor Cynthia Pine, dean of Dental Studies, said last night: “This investment will greatly enhance teaching and learning provision for our dental students at Liverpool.Š It will provide them with the most up-to-date facilities for practising clinical skills before they enter the workplace so they are trained to the highest standards in dental techniques. In addition, the new resources will be invaluable to dental patients across Merseyside in accessing the best care available.”

larryneild