Dental treatment and training will be offered in Aberdeen

Deputy Health Minister Lewis Macdonald said he hoped it would encourage participating dental students to stay and work in the local area.

The new centre is based next to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

It houses a dental practice with four surgeries and an education centre offering professional training.

Mr Macdonald said that the opening of the Aberdeen Dental Institute fulfilled a long term commitment and was another important part of efforts to widen access to NHS dentistry.

'Significant development'

He said: "The new dentists at the institute are expected to provide NHS dental services to 4,000 to 6000 patients in the first 12 months. NHS Grampian anticipate around 4,000 new registrations over the first two years.

"On top of that, the centre will also provide in-hours emergency treatment to thousands more people who are currently having problems accessing a dentist.

"The outreach centre will also provide better training to dental students who will learn to treat a much wider range of patients than ever before."

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles said: "This will be a tremendous resource for the north east, not only in terms of carrying out treatment, but also in allowing dental students to carry out their studies here.

"Evidence from other areas has shown that dentists are more likely to practise close to where they studied, so I am hopeful that these students will stay here."