A new £21m dental training centre was officially opened in Aberdeen today.

The state-of-the-art complex will feature facilities for radiography, restorative dentistry, consultant orthodontics, dental laboratories, student laboratories and office accommodation.

The dental school project has been made possible by more than £21m of funding from the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian.

This year's students will begin their studies in an existing building at NHS Grampian's Foresterhill site, but work has already begun on the new Aberdeen Dental School building, due to be completed in October 2009.

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To mark the occasion of the first round of entrants beginning their training, Ms Robison visited the dental school to celebrate with staff and students.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison said: "The new Aberdeen Dental School will be a centre of excellence for the North of Scotland and an important asset for the whole country.

"Today's opening proves how serious we in the Scottish Government are about reversing the long-term decline in NHS dentistry in Scotland.

In August, the Scottish Government announced a £75m investment programme in NHS capital projects over the next two years, a key priority of which will be the improvement of dental facilities.

(GK/JM)