Competency Assessment and Training
Competency Training for Dentists who have not undertaken Vocational Training but have relevant Primary Care experience
Dentists who have no experience of primary dental care or who are new graduates (other than EEA nationals who have qualified at EEA dental schools outside the UK) will be expected to undertake a full 12 months Vocational Training (See notes on Vocational Training).
Dentists who have some experience of primary care and can demonstrate to the Assessment Panel that they have achieved certain dental competencies may be granted equivalent status to dental vocational training or may be required to undertake a shortened or flexible period of vocational training (minimum of 3 months – maximum of 10 months) to enable them to achieve and demonstrate all the required competencies.
PLEASE NOTE the Deanery does not have funding for such training and will require written confirmation from the Practice concerned that they are willing to be responsible for such costs before a practice visit can be arranged.
Practices wishing to offer competency training to a dentist and who have a suitable trainer should contact the Deanery as soon as possible after Assessment. Subject to the above, a suitable date can then be arranged for a practice inspection/trainer interview by a deanery representative/PCT Dental Adviser to ensure that the appointed practice/trainer can offer an appropriate training environment.
Once the Practice/Trainer is approved, an Educational Agreement* should be signed by the Postgraduate Dental Dean, the Trainer and the Trainee and forwarded to the Deanery before the stipulated period of training can commence.
Once the training period comes to an end, the dentist will need to provide evidence to the Deanery that the stipulated training has taken place and the Assessment Panel will then re-assess the earlier decision based on such evidence.