The University of East Anglia's vice-chancellor is urging the government to help fund a new dentistry school.

East Anglia is the only region in England that does not have a dental school, an issue that has been blamed for the region being the most underserved in the UK for dental care. 

Recent data from the Local Government Association shows that Norfolk and Waveney have one of the lowest numbers of dentists per 10,000 people in the country.

As part of a dental recovery plan unveiled in February, the government announced it was aiming to increase dental training places by 40pc by 2032.

Eastern Daily Press: The UEA has been pleading for a dental schoolThe UEA has been pleading for a dental school (Image: Newsquest)

The UEA hopes that will boost hopes for its dentistry plans, which have previously been backed by all nine of the county's MPs and Labour's shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, who described the situation as a "terrible state of affairs".

The UEA hosted a health inequalities event on Wednesday, at which Tory MP Dame Andrea Leadsom, who is under secretary for public health, reasserted the need for a density school in the region, as did the UEA's vice-chancellor David Maguire.

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Prof Maguire said: "We welcome the government’s plan to increase the number of undergraduate dental training places.

Eastern Daily Press: UEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David MaguireUEA Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire (Image: University of East Anglia)

"In considering the establishment of new dental schools in underserved areas, we are asking the government to allocate the new dentistry undergraduate places to East Anglia, where a new dental school can have the greatest impact."

Dame Leadsom said: "We are taking bold action to improve access to dental care for all and our Dental Recovery Plan sets out how we are creating as many as 2.5 million extra appointments this year alone.

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Andrea Leadsom MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary CareDame Andrea Leadsom MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Public Health, Start for Life and Primary Care (Image: PA)

"Our long-term plans also include strengthening the dental workforce by creating thousands of new training places and making it easier for dentists who trained overseas to work here, ensuring everyone can access a dental appointment when and where they need it."

The UEA also announced a fast-track course for doctors at the event, which will allow students to qualify within four years.