Dentists

Management of dentist training has recently been devolved to HEE local teams (was previously run by a couple of teams for the wider organisation).

Unlike doctors, dentists are registered to practise as soon as they graduate from university. All postgraduate training is options, however dentists MUST undertake one-year Foundation training if they wish to work in the NHS. There are three stages of postgraduate training:

Foundation - 1 year programme, primary care-based (i.e. local surgery)

Core - end in itself or pathway to specialty training - can be 1, 2 or 3 years, hospital-based. Longer dentist spends in core training the more likely they are to get on to specialty training programme. Some programmes specify minimum core e.g. SW must do 2 years core before you can go on to Specialty.

Specialist - 3-5 years leading to registration as Dental Consultant. Dental specialties include oral surgery, restorative dentistry, paediatric dentistry, oral medicine (full list here).

(NB - confusingly GDC refer to 'specialists' and 'specialism' and not 'specialties')

Overview of Dental Foundation Training

Assessment for Foundation dentists is now being made more robust → starting to do an 'RCP' (Review of Competence to Progress). The RCP process is being modelled on the trainee doctors ARCP process, however postgraduate dental training for newly qualified dentists  - Dental Foundation Training (DFT) - is a one-year programme, so there is only one review.

Dental Foundation Training is carried out in specially appointed Training Practices.  Experienced general dental practitioners who have an ability to teach and help new dentists are appointed as Trainers.  They employ new dentists as in their Training Practice, and provide the Foundation Dentists (FDs) with a fully equipped surgery, a dental nurse, and patients.  The new dentist works in the practice for a maximum of 35 hours per week.  The Trainer must be available to provide help and advice, be it chairside or otherwise, and also has to provide a weekly tutorial lasting one hour, during normal working hours.

The Training Practices are attached to a Foundation Scheme led by a Training Programme Director (TPD) [East of England has 7 geographically-based schemes.].  Dental Foundation Training lasts for one year, and during this period the FD attends 30 days of Day Release Course (DRC) at the Scheme centre, this usually takes place on a Friday.  The Course is divided into three terms.  During those weeks when the Day Release Course is being attended, the FD works in the practice for only 28 hours.

Each FD has an on-line e-portfolio, which is used as an educational aid throughout the year.  On a regular basis the FD records achievements and concerns,  and describes and analyses events that have occurred recently.  The Trainer works with the FD and the Portfolio to produce action plans and regular assessments of development.

On completion one year of Dental Foundation Training, FDs are eligible to for an NHS Performers List number; this enables them to treat NHS patients.

Dentists who apply to a LETB for competency assessment, in lieu of completing training in a deanery approved training scheme, will need to demonstrate that they have achieved the competencies set out in Form GDS1; this includes a requirement to have gained experience of working in the NHS and to have an understanding of NHS rules and regulations in respect of dental treatment. Need to get clarification on this last paragraph.

(Source - HEE East of England)

Local assessment processes

East Midlands

Initially set up in secondary care - primary care followed. Lots of lessons learned which have been applied to the process. (Need more on this)

Yorkshire & the Humber

South West

Dentist training progression reviews Foundation - Core - Specialty