The department of paediatric dentistry of the University of Newcastle Dental Hospital & School, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, was officially opened recently following the refurbishment of the clinic.

The refurbishment programme started at the end of June 2005 and all the old equipment was completely removed and replaced by brand new units in a project that cost around £1.4 million.

The new department has twenty chairs in an open clinic format and five chairs in individual surgeries. The department also has three ceiling mounted operating microscopes used for advanced restorative procedures and inhalation sedation facilities in each individual surgery as well as three in the open clinic. The newly refurbished department was officially opened by Professor JJ Murray CBE, past Dean of the Dental School and also Scientific Advisor to the BDJ.

Pictured from left to right, Dr Ben Cole, Consultant & Head of the Children's' department; Mr Dave Jacobs, Consultant & Clinical Director of the Dental School, Sir Miles Irving, Chairman of the Trust Board, Prof. J J Murray, Prof. R A Seymour, current Dean and Mr L Fenwick, Chief Executive of the Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust.