General Professional Training

General Professional Training
in England and Wales
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Faculty of Dental Surgery
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
A PRACTICAL GUIDE
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Life Long Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
General Professional Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Royal College of Surgeons of England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Who is Responsible for Training and Standards? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The General Dental Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Committee on Vocational Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
The Dental Faculties of The Surgical Royal Colleges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors of Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Components of Professional Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Flexibility in Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
General Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hospital Dental Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Community Dental Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Opportunities for General Professional Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
What do Trainees think about GPT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
General Professional Training and the MFDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Eligibility for MFDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Mandatory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
MFGDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Career Opportunities After Professional Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Dental Specialties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
General Dental Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Community Dental Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Defence Dental Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Training Opportunities for Overseas Trainees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
General Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Opportunities for Training in Approved Hospital Posts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Faculty
Specialist Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 of
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Appendix 1 Dental
Appendix 2
The GDC’s Lifelong Learning - Re-certification for the Dental Profession . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Surgery
The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Appendix 3
Useful Contacts for General Professional Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Appendix 4
MFDS Distance Learning Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Getting Started on the MFDS Distance Learning Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
The Royal College of Surgeons of England GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN ENGLAND & WALES 1
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
2 GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN ENGLAND & WALES The Royal College of Surgeons of England
FOREWORD
It is a great pleasure to introduce General Professional Training in England and

Wales – A Practical Guide. It is hoped that this will provide a helpful and practical
overview of general professional training for the new graduate and has been written
as a companion volume to Specialisation in Dentistry – A Practical Guide published
by the Faculty in February 1999.
The guide includes sections on the concept of general professional training; the
professional bodies responsible for setting and monitoring standards; the
components of general professional training; opportunities for the new graduate; the
diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS); and some of the
career options available following general professional training. A list of useful
contacts from which further information can be obtained is appended.
General professional training provides exciting opportunities for the new graduate
and is designed to provide broad based clinical training in several disciplines of
dentistry to prepare the graduate for subsequent training in the career of their
choice. This is supported by an educational process based on the curriculum of the
MFDS diploma which was developed by the Surgical Royal Colleges of the United
Kingdom and in Ireland.
The Faculty has developed a distance learning course to assist the graduate
preparing for the MFDS examination. This includes study days at the College and
support from a network of Faculty Tutors at local level. In the first two years since
the introduction of the MFDS examination, around 800 trainees had enrolled.
Graduates are encouraged to become involved with the Faculty at an early stage in
their career. Initially this will be during the period of general professional training
during which time the MFDS will be taken. If the graduate elects to enter specialist
training this link will develop as progress is made towards a Specialty Membership
or the Intercollegiate Specialist Fellowship.
Whatever direction the graduate’s career eventually takes, a diplomate of the

College can benefit from the support and facilities that the College can offer over
their practising lifetime. This includes registration for continuing professional
development, a varied educational programme, libraries, a computer assisted
learning centre, a video library, anatomy and pathology museums, residential
accommodation and participation in the many activities of the College.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
David Barnard CBE
Dean
March 2001
INTRODUCTION
Life Long Learning
The General Dental Council launched Lifelong Learning: Recertification for the Dental
Profession in April 2000. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that all dentists update their
knowledge and acquire new skills, both to benefit their patients and to enhance the quality of
their professional lives. The scheme formalises good practice and gives all dentists personal
responsibility to direct their own learning in the interests of their patients. All dentists should
participate in continuing professional development (CPD) in order to satisfy the requirements
of the General Dental Council. (Appendix 1)
The continuum of training and education begins as an undergraduate and continues after
qualification over the practising career. General professional training (GPT) is usually
undertaken immediately following qualification and has been defined as the structured further
development of knowledge, skills and attitudes common to all branches of the dental
profession which will provide a basis for informed career choice and improved patient care (1).
It is felt desirable that for more balanced training, periods should be spent in both the primary
and secondary care settings although the content remains flexible.
A consistent and high standard of postgraduate dental education is essential to sustain and
improve patient care. A key component in delivering this goal is assuring the quality of training
in individual placements and programmes (2). The Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal
College of Surgeons of England plays a key role in this process.
The Faculty of Dental Surgery is based at The Royal College of Surgeons of England at
Lincoln’s Inn Fields in central London. The Faculty plays a key role in setting standards for
training posts and provides a distance learning course for those aiming to take the examination
for the diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS). The Faculty is a
national and international organisation fulfilling its role through representatives based in every
Postgraduate Deanery in the United Kingdom and throughout the world. (Appendix 2)
Faculty Website at: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
of
Dental
Surgery
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING AND STANDARDS?
The General Dental Council
The General Dental Council (GDC) is the statutory regulatory body for the dental profession in
the UK, and has a primary responsibility to protect the public. It discharges this role through
the promotion of high standards of dental education at all its stages and high standards of
professional conduct amongst dentists.
The GDC is the competent authority with statutory responsibility for standards of specialist
training. It has defined one of the entry requirements for entry to recognised specialist training
programmes as the MFDS diploma or equivalent.
In 1996 an agreement was formalised between the GDC, the Dental Faculties of the Surgical
Royal Colleges and other educational bodies defining their respective responsibilities with
regard to specialist training. This was termed The Accord.
Website at: www.gdc-uk.org
The Committee on Vocational Training
The Committee on Vocational Training for England and Wales (CVT) manages the process of
vocational training (VT) in general dental practice and the community dental service. Approved
training in primary care within the England and Wales is in vocational training schemes
approved by the CVT.
Website at: www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/cvt
The Dental Faculties of The Surgical Royal Colleges
The Faculties of Dental Surgery of the Surgical Royal Colleges of England and Edinburgh, the
Dental Faculty of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the Faculty of
Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland set standards for training and education.
The Faculties also set curricula, conduct examinations and award diplomas including the
MFDS, Specialty Memberships and Intercollegiate Specialty Fellowships. There is a rigorous
inspection process for training posts in hospitals, the community dental service and dental
Faculty
public health for GPT under the MFDS regulations. This aims to ensure that appropriate of
education and clinical experience is provided for trainees.
Dental
The Faculties also develop guidelines for good practice in collaboration with the specialty
associations in dentistry and play a leading role in discussions about dentistry within the wider Surgery
arena of healthcare.
Within England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal
College of Surgeons of England manages these functions. In Scotland this is the responsibility
of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Faculties although there is reciprocal recognition of training
posts under the MFDS regulations.
Further information and contacts can be found on the website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)
The Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) at the Royal College of Surgeons of England
sets and monitors standards in general dental practice. The Faculty conducts examinations to
support career pathways in general dental practice and continuing professional development
for the generalist. It also publishes guidance on good practice for the general dental
practitioner.
Further information and contacts can be found on the website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fgdp
Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors of Education
The Postgraduate Dental Deans are responsible for the management and delivery of
education and training at a local level. The Deans develop policies and strategies for the
educational development and management of high quality dental postgraduate education and
training. Training and education are fundamental to the provision of high quality healthcare.
The Regional Adviser in General Dental Practice is a member of the Postgraduate Dental
Dean’s office and is responsible for the VT training process in each deanery.
Training in the hospital or community service is supported educationally by the Hospital or

Community Dental Tutor who is appointed by the Postgraduate Dental Dean. The Faculty
Tutors in England and Wales are appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons of England in
conjunction with the Postgraduate Dental Deans. The Hospital Tutor, designated by the
Postgraduate Dental Dean, and the Faculty Tutor may be the same person. The Deans
organise regular appraisal and assessment of trainees to take place through their tutors. They
also support the management and payment of study leave.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
COMPONENTS OF GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Flexibility in Training
The young graduate is advised to gain wide an experience as possible in the early years after
qualification. For those intending to take the MFDS examination, there should be a balance
between approved experience in primary care and training in approved posts in the hospital or
community services. For those going on to pursue specialist careers, it is a requirement that
they spend a minimum of two years in a variety of relevant posts gaining broad based clinical
experience and training in several disciplines of dentistry. However, the key to GPT remains
flexibility.
General Dental Practice
The first year of the general professional training period is usually but not always, one year’s
vocational training, which is an integral part of all formal GPT schemes. An initial VT year in
general dental practice will give experience in the primary care setting.
Eligibility for Vocational Training

In order for a dentist to be eligible to undertake VT, he or she must have a qualification that
can be fully registered with the General Dental Council. Eligibility does not guarantee entry
onto a VT scheme, as the number of places on each scheme is limited and subject to open
competition by eligible dentists. Employment of a Vocational Dental Practitioner (VDP) i.e.
trainee, by a trainer is by mutual agreement and subject to a written contract (3).
UK and EEA Dentists

Dentists who are UK nationals or nationals of EEA member states who qualify from a dental
school in the UK or a dental school outside the EEA must either complete VT
or show that they have acquired experience or training equivalent to VT before their names
may be included on an Health Authority (HA) Dental List. This is necessary in order to enable
them to practise as a principal in the General Dental Services, i.e. work unsupervised in
National Health Service general practice. However, they may work as an assistant without
having done VT and without their name being included on a HA Dental List.
UK or EEA nationals, or spouses of EEA nationals, who are employed or self-employed in the
UK, who qualify from a dental school in the EEA (other than the UK or Austria) are exempt
from the requirement to complete VT. However, they are eligible to undertake VT provided that
a training place is available and they have a fully registrable qualification.
Faculty
of
Non-EEA Dentists
Dental
Dentists who qualify at dental schools outside the EEA are subject to the same conditions as
graduates of the UK dental schools. In other words, before their names can be included on an
Surgery
HA list they must show that they:
● are fully registered with the General Dental Council

● and have completed VT
● or have acquired experience or training equivalent to VT
● or are exempt from the requirement to complete VT
Dentists with an overseas primary dental qualification who wish to have their names included
in an NHS dental list should contact the Committee on Vocational Training, (CVT) (3).
For full information, visit the CVT website.
Website: www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/cvt
Hospital Dental Service
The second year of GPT is usually spent as a Senior House Officer (SHO) in a dental teaching
hospital or a district general hospital. However, some graduates elect to take up one of the
limited number of House Officer posts initially upon graduation. Hospital posts may be part of a
formal, integrated two year programme (sometimes referred to as “formal” GPT) or undertaken
in an informal self-constructed basis. This gives an opportunity for graduates to explore the
possibilities of all areas of the profession with a wide variety of options. Essentially all
graduates should be exposed to many aspects of primary and secondary care before making a
career decision within dentistry. Flexibility must be an important part of any GPT programme
and there should be many choices for trainees rather than a standard package.
A working group under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer is likely to recommend
changes in SHO training generally and how attaining clinical experience in the grade may
evolve.
Community Dental Service
There is an increasing number of training posts approved for MFDS in the Community Dental
Service. The nature of the experience within the community service is changing, with some
posts concentrating on paediatric dental care and others on dental care of the elderly or the
management of patients with special needs.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
There are a number of ways of organising GPT. Specific information should be sought from the
Postgraduate Dental Dean or Tutor as to the local options available.
The programme generally takes the form of a two year integrated scheme (“formal” GPT), or
may be undertaken on a self-constructed basis through training in primary care as a Vocational
Dental Practitioner (VDP) and secondary care as an SHO, or in a community dental post
recognised for the MFDS. In England and Wales, around 80% of GPT is undertaken in a self-
constructed basis and trainees believe that this is as good as “formal” GPT.
At this early stage there is the possibility of gaining experience in areas which may be of
interest for future specialisation such as posts in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Restorative
Dentistry, Orthodontics or Paediatric Dentistry. If specialisation is the aim, then an appropriate
balance of experience will be necessary and further advice can be gained from the Regional
Advisors within the various specialties who are appointed by the Royal College of Surgeons.
(Appendix 2)
A list of approved training posts is currently available from the Faculty of Dental Surgery and is
also available on the Royal College of Surgeons of England website. Posts are advertised in
the professional press and applications must be made to employing authorities.
Details of formal GPT schemes may be sought from Postgraduate Deans. (Appendix 3)
Contacts
● VT information: www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/cvt
● Approved training posts: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
Key Points
● A range of GPT programmes is available. It may take the form of a two year integrated
scheme, but most dentists currently undertake GPT on a self-constructed basis through
one year as a VDP and one year as SHO.
● GPT is flexible, allowing the trainees to choose the components most appropriate for their
personal development and career aspirations.
● GPT is voluntary.
● The postgraduate qualification marking the completion of GPT remains voluntary. However, Faculty
for those wishing to enter specialist training, completion of two years GPT and holding the
MFDS diploma are mandatory. of
● It has been agreed that the Part A MFDS examination has reciprocity with the Part 1
MFGDP taken after September 1998.
Dental
● National standards within GPT in England and Wales are determined by the Committee on Surgery
Vocational Training (VT) and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of
Surgeons of England (approved posts under the MFDS regulations).
● The Postgraduate Dental Deans are responsible for the management and delivery of
postgraduate dental education, including VT, SHO and GPT.
● A broad based liaison committee brings together the various interests involved in GPT.
What Do Trainees Think About GPT?
A survey undertaken by the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with the Faculty of

Dental Surgery, provided helpful insight into the attitudes of individuals who are undertaking, or
who have undertaken, the distance learning course of the Faculty to prepare for the MFDS
examination as part of general professional training. In analysing the responses of 342
trainees several key points emerged:
1. Trainees supported a two year period of GPT, which should be on a voluntary rather
than compulsory basis.
2. Personally tailored GPT was considered just as good as a formal programme and
more sensitive to the needs and interests of individual trainees.
3. Motives for undertaking GPT included:
● Gaining a wide range of experience

● Personal development
● Increasing knowledge or skills
● To gain eligibility to enter specialist training
● To inform career choice
● To keep options open
4. A postgraduate qualification to mark the completion of GPT was favoured.
5. GPT was generally perceived to improve job prospects.
A full copy of the report General Professional Training in Dentistry - A survey of participants in
the MFDS course of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England,
January 2001, may be obtained from:
The Research Office

School of Education
The University of Birmingham
Birmingham B15 2TT
Telephone: 0121 414 4402
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND THE MFDS
The GDC has agreed that the entry requirements to SAC approved specialist training
programmes will be the Diploma of Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS). MFD or
FDS are also acceptable. A new graduate who is contemplating a career as a specialist should
therefore be familiar with the regulations of the MFDS examination to inform career choice and
to keep options open (5). However, many graduates choose to take the MFDS examination
but decide not to become a specialist, choosing to follow a career pathway in general dental
practice.
Parts A and B of the examination are intercollegiate and Part C is collegiate and specific to the
College of the candidate’s choice. Regulations are available from the examinations
departments of the Surgical Royal Colleges of England, Glasgow, Edinburgh and in Ireland. It
should be noted that the Diploma from the Irish College is Member of the Faculty of Dentistry
(MFD) which is equivalent to the MFDS. Part A and part B of the examination are identical for
all Colleges and run simultanously.
The educational element of structured training should follow the curriculum of the MFDS
examination as detailed in the MFDS regulations. The minimum 1 year of clinical training and
experience must be in approved training posts as defined in the MFDS regulations. Within
England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is the responsibility of the Hospital Recognition
Committee of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England to
inspect hospital and community posts, but there is a reciprocal arrangement for recognition
with the other Dental Faculties in Scotland and Ireland.
A list of approved training posts is currently available from the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and
is also available on the Royal College of Surgeons of England website.
Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
To support their clinical training and experience, trainees are strongly recommended to make
use of the Training, Appraisal and Assessment Manual first published by COPDenD in 1998,
which is available through Postgraduate Dental Deans.
A dentist who is intending to take the MFDS should consider enrolling on the distance learning
course available from the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of
England. This provides detailed workbooks including self-assessment exercises and study
days in the College, and has been specifically designed to enable individuals to study for the
MFDS examination while continuing their clinical training. (Appendix 4)
To support the new graduate further in working towards the MFDS, the Faculty has appointed
Faculty Tutors in each Deanery to provide accessible advice at the local level. (Appendix 2)
The MFDS regulations have been designed to allow new graduates choice of the areas in Faculty
which they may wish to work. These reflect the recommendations of the Faculty of Dental
Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the Report of the General Professional of
Working Party in 1995, (6) and in– The First Two Years – General Professional Training
published by the GDC in 1998 (1). Dental
Surgery
Eligibility for MFDS
To be eligible for the award of the diploma all candidates must:
● possess a primary dental qualification that is acceptable to the Councils of the Surgical
Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland.
● have completed satisfactorily 24 months whole time equivalent, postgraduate experience in
dentistry of which at least 12 months must have been gained in clinical posts in hospital or
community practice or dental public health which have been approved for training by the
Dental Faculties of the Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland. Experience in more
than one discipline will be required which should be no less than three months whole time
equivalent in each discipline. Normally equivalent part-time training will be acceptable if
gained within a period of four years.
● have passed all sections of the MFDS/MFD Diploma examination.
● have complied with all the regulations.
Mandatory Requirements
Part A (Intercollegiate)
To be eligible to sit part A of the examination:
Candidates are required to provide evidence of completion of a minimum of 12 months

satisfactory experience in any field of dentistry obtained after gaining their primary dental
qualification.
Part B (Intercollegiate)
To be eligible to sit Part B of the examination candidates must:
● have passed part A.

● provide evidence of completion of at least 20 months satisfactory experience, of which 8
months must have been spent in posts in hospital, community practice or dental public
health, which have been approved for training by the Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and
Ireland.
Part C (Collegiate)
To be eligible to sit Part C of the examination candidates must:
● have passed Parts A and B.

● provide evidence of at least 20 months training, 8 months of which must have been spent in
posts in hospital, community practice or dental public health which have been approved for
training by the Surgical Royal Colleges of the UK and Ireland.
● Normally hold a current certificate of successful hepatitis B immunisation from a UK or
Faculty Irish source, if the examination is being held in the UK or Ireland.
of It has been agreed that the MFDS Part A has reciprocity with the MFGDP Part 1 taken after
September 1998. This provides maximum flexibility for the graduate who may be unsure in the
Dental first years after qualification whether to follow a career in specialist practice or general practice.
Surgery Exemption from MFDS Parts A and B has been agreed for holders of MRCS.
Further exemptions have been agreed for experienced practitioners of at last 10 years standing
or part time equivalent, who hold the MGDS, MCCD or MFGDP diplomas and can demonstrate
agreed requirements for continuing professional development.
Sitting of the MFDS Examination
All parts of the MFDS examination are held twice a year in April and September.
Contact can be made through the Royal College of Surgeons of England’s website.
Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/exams
MFGDP
Graduates committed to a career in general dental practice may consider the option of taking
the examination for the diploma of Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners
(MFGDP). This does not require the completion of broad based training in approved posts in
hospital, the community or dental public health. It should be noted that the MFGDP diploma
does not satisfy the entry requirements to recognised specialist training programmes.
Contact can be made through the Royal College of Surgeons of England’s website.
Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fgdp
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AFTER
GENERAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
Dental Specialties
Specialist Training
For those who wish to consider specialist training there is now a much more clearly defined
structure. The trainee must satisfy a number of requirements in accordance with A Guide to
Specialist Registrar Training, February 1998 – the so-called Orange Book (7). More detailed
arrangements for dentistry are described in A Manual of Specialist Training in Dentistry in the
United Kingdom and Ireland, published by the Joint Committee for Specialist Training in
Dentistry (8). An overview of specialisation in dentistry is also provided in Specialisation in
Dentistry - a Practical Guide published by The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of
Surgeons of England (9). This is also available on the College website. A list of recognised
training programmes in each speciality is available from the relevant Specialist Advisory
Committee (SAC). Details of individual programmes may be obtained from Training
Programme Directors at the Dental Schools or training institutions.
Hospital Dental Service

Specialists may work as consultants, associate specialists or in staff grade posts. There are
differing training requirements and responsibilities depending upon both the post and the
speciality involved. Advice on the opportunities can be gained by contacting the appropriate
Regional Speciality Adviser or the Postgraduate Dental Dean. (Appendices 2 and 3)
Academic Dentistry
The possibilities for academic trainees in any of the dental specialties should be checked by
contacting the appropriate Specialist Advisory Committee. An academic trainee will normally
undergo an SAC approved clinical programme and will also embark on research leading to a
higher degree. This will then give the possibility of becoming a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer or
Professor.

There are a variety of employment opportunities within the community service for specialists,
Faculty including the appointment of consultants. Many community dental services employ specialist
orthodontists.
of
Dental Specialist Practice
Surgery Since the introduction of specialist lists by the GDC in 1998, there has been an opportunity to
work in specialist practice. Specialist practices are particularly found in the restorative
monospecialties of endodontics, periodontics and prosthodontics, surgical dentistry and
orthodontics.
General Dental Practice
Career pathways in general dental practice have been developed by the Faculty of General
Practitioners (UK). Diplomas relating to general dental practice include the Membership of the
Faculty of General Dental Practitioners MFGDP(UK), the Membership in General Dental
Practice MGDS and the Fellowship of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners FFGDP(UK).
Further information may be sought from the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)
Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fgdp
Generalists may work within the General Dental Services, as salaried practitioners within the
National Health Service, large organisations, dental bodies corporate or in private practice.
There are also dental surgeons contracted to a health authority under the Personal Dental
Services (PDS) arrangements, which are specific and in areas of local need.
Dental surgeons working in the Community Dental Service are salaried and treat a wide range
of patients depending on local dental needs. The service still provides screening for school
children and also provides treatment for children with special needs and the elderly with
medical or mobility problems. The service has a career pathway, which has been enhanced by
the creation of Faculty approved training posts in the period of GPT.
Defence Dental Agency
Opportunities exist for dentists to work within the Defence Dental Agency (DDA).
Its role is to provide dental care to the 220,000 members of the Armed Forces and to entitled
support staff and families overseas. The DDA runs its own fully accredited VDP scheme and
the majority of its trainers have MGDS or equivalent. There is an emphasis on continuing
professional development and by the mid-career point after 16 years, 63% of DDA dentists
hold a higher postgraduate qualification.
Further details may be obtained from the following:

RN:
Telephone: 023 927 27807
E-mail: [email protected]
RADC:
Telephone: 01252 340321
Faculty
RAF:
Telephone: 01993 897275 of
Dental
Surgery
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS TRAINEES
General Experience
General experience in dentistry obtained overseas will count towards one year of the
requirements for entry to Part A MFDS.
Opportunities for Training in Approved Hospital Posts
Approved training under the MFDS regulations is available in three ways:
● SHO Posts in UK
NHS paid posts recognised under the MFDS Regulations may be applied for in open
competition. Application should be made to individual trusts. Posts are advertised in the
professional press. A working group, chaired by the Chief Medical Officer is likely to
recommend adjustments to improve training and the gaining of experience for all SHOs.
● Overseas Posts
There are an increasing number of posts overseas which have been approved by the Surgical
Royal Colleges under the MFDS Regulations. Application should be made to individual units.
Training which has not been approved by the Faculty will not count towards the requirements
under the MFDS regulations.
● Dental Attachments
These are unpaid posts that are approved under the MFDS Regulations. The aim of Dental
Attachments is to provide initial opportunities for overseas trainees to gain experience in
dentistry in the UK within the context of general professional training. Full details of the
availability of such posts may be obtained through the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate
Dental Education (Appendix 3). Details of the requirements for such posts are fully explained
in Dental Attachments and Dental Observerships for Overseas Dentists published by the
Faculty of Dental Surgery in 2001 (11). Dental Attachments must be seen as providing the
experience required to provide overseas dentists with the opportunity to obtain a subsequent
funded post. However, such arrangements do not provide any guarantee for subsequent
appointments, which must be applied for in open competition.
Faculty
of ● Dental Observerships
Dental Dental Observerships are available to any postgraduate dental student and should be
Surgery arranged through the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education. They are not
recognised under the MFDS Regulations and will not count towards the requirements of Part B
and C of the MFDS examination. Dental Observers are restricted to observing only and must
not participate in patient care, even under direct supervision.
Specialist Training
Opportunities for Specialist Training for EEA and Overseas Trainees are clearly described in
Training in the United Kingdom for Graduates for the European Economic Area (EEA) and
from Overseas (Non-EEA) in the Dental Specialties, published by the Dental Faculties in
December 1999, (12). Specialist Training must conform to the protocols described in A Guide
to Specialist Registrar Training, (7).
Trainees are recommended to seek clarification of the status of postgraduate training at an

early stage. It must be understood that not all postgraduate courses are recognised for
specialist training. It is also important to bear in mind that a trainee who is not enrolled with
the relevant Specialist Advisory Committee and issued with a Training Number by the
Postgraduate Dental Dean will not be eligible for the award of a Certificate of Completion of
Specialist Training (CCST) and will not be eligible to take the specialty Membership.
There are notes provided for overseas trainees (10), and there is an opportunity to discuss
training opportunities with a special overseas adviser at the Royal College of Surgeons of
England, the Kelsey Fry Adviser, Dr Ian Waite who can be contacted by email:
[email protected]
Dr Waite is also director of the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education,
(NACPDE). Telephone: (direct line) 020 7869 6804.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
REFERENCES
1 The First Two Years – General Professional Training, General Dental Council
August 1998
2 The Recruitment of Doctors and Dentists in Training, NHS Executive, November 1998.
3 Vocational Training – Eligibility, Committee on Vocational Training for England and

Wales, 1997.
4 General Professional Training in Dentistry - A survey of participants in the MFDS

Distance learning course of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of
Surgeons of England, 2001, The University of Birmingham Press, ISBN 0 7044 22824
5 MFDS / MFD Regulations, Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons
of England; Dental Faculty, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; Faculty of
Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow; Faculty of
Dentistry, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 2001.
6 Report of the General Professional Training Working Party, The Faculty of Dental
Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons England, June 1995.
7 A Guide to Specialist Registrar Training, Department of Health, February 1998.
8 A Manual of Specialist Training in Dentistry in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Joint
Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry, 1999.
9 Specialisation in Dentistry – A Practical Guide, Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal

College of Surgeons of England, 1999.
10 Notes for Overseas Dental Graduates on Postgraduate Education and Training in the
United Kingdom, issued by the National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental
Education, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields,
London WC2A 3PE
11 Dental Attachments & Dental Observerships for Overseas Dentists, Faculty of Dental
Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2001.
12 Training in the United Kingdom for Graduates from the European Economic Area
(EEA) and from Overseas (Non-EEA) in the Dental Specialties, Joint Meeting of Dental
Faculties, December 1999.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
APPENDIX 1
The GDC’s Lifelong Learning – Re-certification for the Dental Profession

The preparatory re-certification scheme was introduced in October 2000. Subject to the
appropriate legislative changes, the statutory scheme will be phased in over three years,
beginning with dentists first registered after 1990 on 1st January 2002. Dentists first registered
between 1st January 1980 and 31st December 1989 will join on 1st January 2003 and dentists
first registered before 31st December 1979 on 1st January 2004. Newly registered dentists will
join on the 1st January after the date of their registration.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) should have a clear educational basis and should
update dentists’ knowledge of contemporary standards of practice. Not all activities need to be
directly related to treatment as patients benefit from a variety of non-clinical CPD activities
undertaken by their dentists.
For re-certification, dentists will be required to complete, at least, 250 hours of CPD over five
years. A minimum of 75 of these hours must consist of verifiable CPD and the remainder can
be made up of general CPD. Dentists are advised to, where possible, spread their CPD
evenly over the five years by undertaking 50 hours per year with an average of 15 hours of
verifiable CPD each year.
CPD is classed as verifiable if some form of external documentary verification of attendance or

participation can be provided and the activity can be shown to satisfy the following educational
criteria:
● Concise educational aims and objectives
● Clear anticipated outcomes
● Quality control through feedback
Specific examples include courses organised by professional bodies, such as the

Postgraduate Dean, the Faculties of Dental Surgery, the Faculty of General Dental
Practitioners, the educational components of meetings and conferences of specialist
associations, and interactive distance learning with verifiable outcomes.
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
APPENDIX 2
The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Mission Statement
To set and advance the highest standards of oral health for patients and to promote professional
excellence in all aspects of dentistry.
Objectives
● To set educational standards and provide educational support for all dental specialists,
specialists in training and GPT trainees. Also for others holding a diploma of the Faculty
as well as being the natural home to support life-long learning and continuing professional
development.
● To enable specialists to demonstrate, on a regular basis, that they are keeping up to date
and fit to practice in their chosen field.
● To continue to play a leading role in discussions about dentistry and the dental specialties
and to properly represent and promote the dental profession at the highest level within the
wider context of health care.
● To provide a forum to promote good practice and clinical effectiveness in dentistry.
How Does the Faculty Fulfil its Role?

● Setting curricula for examinations.
● Conducting examinations for both undergraduates and postgraduates.
● Awarding diplomas for GPT and the whole range of dental specialties.
● Inspecting and approving training posts in hospitals, the community service and dental
public health for GPT.
● Contributing to the approval of programmes for specialist training as a constituent member
of the Joint Committee for Specialist Training in Dentistry (JCSTD), and individual Specialist
Advisory Committees (SACs).
● Playing a wider role in promoting standards of practice by liaising with other bodies involved
Faculty with health care at the highest level.
of ● Advising on manpower planning.
Dental ● Providing Faculty representatives for Advisory Appointments Committees for specialist
trainees, associate specialists, staff grades and consultants.
Surgery ● Providing programmes for postgraduate education, continuing professional education (CPE)
and continuing professional development (CPD).
● Registering CPE/CPD for specialists.
● Promoting clinical audit/effectiveness and research.
● Preparing and disseminating clinical guidelines for good practice.
Constitution
The Faculty of Dental Surgery is a constituent part of The Royal College of Surgeons of
England with three elected members on the Council of the College in accordance with the
College Charter. The College was founded in 1800 with its roots extending back to the 12th
century. The Dental Faculty was founded in 1947.
Membership
The Faculty is composed of some 2700 Fellows and members.
The Board of Faculty

The Faculty is governed by the Board of Faculty which is composed of 22 Board Members
who are elected by the membership and who provide a broad base of experience from across
the profession and the dentally based specialities. There are also invited members from dental
public health, the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK) and a representative of the
trainees.
Local Representatives
NORTHERN
Regional Adviser Mr C J Edge

Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Middlesbrough General Hospital
Ayresome Green Lane, Middlesbrough, Cleveland, TS5 5AZ
Tel: 01642 854257
Fax: 01642 824727
Specialty Adviser in Mr D G Smith

Restorative Dentistry Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Dentistry
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
10-12 Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AB
Tel: 0191 232 3657
Fax: 0191 221 1049
Specialty Adviser in Mr J Stewart

Dental Public Health Tees Health Authority
Poole House, Stokesley Road, Nunthorpe, Middlesborough, TS7 0NJ
Tel: 01642 304150
Faculty
Fax: 01642 304170
of
Dental
Specialty Adviser in Mr R R Welbury Surgery
Paediatric Dentistry Department of Paediatric Dentistry
The Dental Hospital
Richardson Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4AZ
Tel: 0191 2325131 x 24557 (bleep 2316)
Fax: 0191 227 5149
YORKSHIRE
Regional Adviser Dr M Kellett

Division of Restorative Dentistry
Leeds Dental Institute
Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LU
Tel: 0113 233 6248
Fax: 0113 233 6282
Specialty Adviser Mr R A Loukota

in Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery Leeds Dental Institute
Tel: 0113 2336111/2336219
Fax: 0113 2336264
Specialty Adviser in Professor S Williams

Dental Public Health Oral Health Services Research
Clarendon Way, Leeds, LS2 9LY
Tel: 0113 2336197/2440111
Fax: 0113 2336140
Specialty Adviser in Mr S A Fayle

Paediatric Dentistry Division of Child Dental Health
Tel: 0113 2336194
Fax: 0113 2336140
Specialty Adviser in Dr J Glyn-Jones

Restorative Dentistry Division of Restorative Dentistry
Tel: 0113 2336133
Fax: 0113 2336129
Faculty
of TRENT
Dental Regional Adviser Mr D R Willmot

Department of Orthodontics
Surgery Charles Clifford Dental Hospital
Wellesley Road, Sheffield, S10 2SZ
Tel: 0114 271 7809
Fax: 0114 271 7855
Specialty Adviser in Mr P G McAndrew
Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery Rotherham General Hospital
Moorgate Road, Oakwood, Rotherham, S60 2UD
Tel/Fax: 01709 304459
Specialty Adviser in Mr N Thomas

Dental Public Health Department of Dental Public Health
Rotherham Health Authority
Bevan House, Oakwood Hall Drive, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 3AQ
Tel: 01709 302170
Fax: 01709 302170
Specialty Adviser in Mr R F Deans

Restorative Dentistry Department of Restorative Dentistry
The Glenfield Hospital
Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QP
Tel: 0116 2563584
Fax: 0116 2502421
Specialty Adviser in Mrs L E Davidson

Charles Clifford Dental Hospital
Wellesley Road, Sheffield, S10 2SZ
. Tel: 0114 2717890
Fax: 0114 2717855
E-mail: (Secretary) [email protected]
ANGLIA
Regional Adviser Mr D H Tewson

West Norwich Hospital
Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, NR2 3TU
Tel: 01603 288085
Fax: 01603 288299
Specialty Adviser in Mr M T Simpson

Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Faculty
Surgery Bedford Hospital (main base)
Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DH of
Tel: 01234 792137
Fax: 01234 792690 Dental
Home: Tel/Fax: 01234 214998
Surgery
Specialty Adviser in Mr R C Ward

Suffolk Health Authority
PO Box 55, Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8NN
Tel: 01473 323 428
Fax: 01473 323 420
NORTH WEST THAMES
Regional Adviser Mr G Bounds

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgerey
Mount Vernon Hospital
Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2RN
Tel: 01923 844436
Fax: 01923 844321
Specialty Adviser in Dr A B Hewitt

Orthodontics Department of Orthodontics
Bedford General Hospital
Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Tel: 01234 792096
Fax: 01234 795869
Specialty Adviser in Ms J Jacobs

Kentish Town Health Centre
2 Bartholomew Road, London NW5 2AJ
Tel: 020 7530 4711
Fax: 020 7530 4764
NORTH EAST THAMES
Regional Adviser Mr S Ash

Whipps Cross Hospital
Whipps Cross Road, Leytonstone, London E11 1NR
Tel: 020 8535 6735
Fax: 020 8535 6735
Specialty Adviser in Professor C Scully CBE

Oral Medicine Eastman Dental Institute
256 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD
Tel: 020 7915 1038
Fax: 020 7915 1039
Specialty Adviser in Mr P J Weller

Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Faculty Surgery Southend Hospital
Prittlewell Chase, Westcliffe-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RY
of Tel: 01702 221014
Fax: 01702 221019
Dental Home Tel/Fax: 01702 352442
Surgery
Specialty Adviser in Professor P S Wright
Restorative Dentistry Department of Adult Oral Health
St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine & Dentistry
Turner Street, London, E1 2AD
Tel: 020 7377 7057
Fax: 020 7377 7022
Specialty Adviser in Mr D M H Smith
South Essex HA
Arcadia House, Warley Hill Business Park, The Drive, Warley,
Brentwood, Essex, CM13 3BE
Tel: 01277 755229
Fax: 01277 755225
SOUTH EAST THAMES
Regional Adviser Mr B J Smith

Department of Restorative Dentistry
GKT Dental Institute
Guy’s Hospital, London, SE1 9RT
Tel: 0207 955 4533
Fax: 0207 955 4452
Specialty Adviser in Professor M McGurk

Surgery GKT Dental Institute
Tel: 020 7955 4342
Fax: 020 7955 4165
Specialty Adviser in Mr B J Smith

Tel: 0207 955 4533
Fax: 0207 955 4452
Specialty Adviser in Professor D E Gibbons OBE

Tel: 0207 955 8870
Fax: 020 7955 8873
Specialty Adviser in Miss P Smith

Caldecot Road, London SE5 9RW
Tel: 020 7346 3375 Faculty
Fax: 020 7346 3185
of
SOUTH WEST THAMES
Dental
Regional Adviser Mr A Stewart Surgery
The Maxillofacial Unit
Queen Mary’s University Hospital
Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
Tel: 0208 355 2549
Fax: 0208 355 2979
Specialty Adviser in Mr R Edler
Queen Mary’s Hospital
Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PN
Tel: 020 8355 2060
Fax: 020 8355 2979
Specialty Adviser in Professor S Gelbier

Dental Public Health Division of Dental Public Health and Oral Health Services Research
Caldecot Road, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RW
Tel: 020 7346 3481
Fax: 020 7346 3409
Specialty Adviser in Miss P Smith

Caldecot Road, London, SE5 9RW
Tel: 020 7346 3375
Fax: 020 7346 3185
WESSEX
Regional Adviser Mr W J N Peters

Poole Hospital NHS Trust
Longfleet Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2JB
Tel: 01202 442663
Fax: 01202 442230
Specialty Adviser in Ms H Knight

Orthodontics Orthodontic Department
Royal United Hospital
Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG
Tel: 01225 824 269
Fax: 01225 825467
Specialty Adviser in Mrs S Saunders

In Dental Public Health Dental Department
Faculty Central Health Clinic
East Park Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YL
of Tel: 023 8090 2537
Fax: 023 8090 2504
Dental E-mail: [email protected]
Surgery
OXFORD
Regional Adviser Mr D A Slattery

Wexham Park Hospital
Slough, Berkshire, SL2 4HL
Tel/Fax: 01753 634076
Specialty Adviser in Mr C D C Tomlins
Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral & Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Tel: 0118 987 7668
Fax: 0118 987 6765
Specialty Adviser in Miss S E Gregory

Bedfordshire NHS Health Authority
Charter House, Alma Street, Luton, LU1 2PL
Tel: 01582 708963
Fax: 01582 708990
SOUTH WESTERN
Regional Adviser Mr W F Haines

Orthodontic Unit
Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust
Treliske, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3LJ
Tel: 01872 253988
Fax: 01872 253796
Specialty Adviser in Mr G H Irvine

Surgery Southmead Hospital
Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, BS10 5NB
Tel: 0117 9595177
Fax: 0117 9595028
Specialty Adviser in Mr J R Boyles

Avon Health Authority
King Square House, King Square, Bristol, BS2 8EE
Tel: 0117 900 2691
Fax: 0117 900 2571
Specialty Adviser in Mr P J M Crawford

Bristol Dental Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY
Tel: 0117 9284388 Faculty
Fax: 0117 9299898
E-mail: [email protected] of
WEST MIDLANDS Dental
Regional Adviser Mr D Spary
Surgery
Queen’s Hospital
Burton Hospitals NHS Trust
Belvedere Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE13 0RB
Tel: 01283 566333
Fax: 01283 516983
Specialty Adviser in Mr M J C Wake
Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery Queen Surgery, Elizabeth Hospital
Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham, B15 2TH
Tel: 0121 627 2303
Fax: 0121 627 2302
Specialty Adviser in Dr K Warren

Birmingham Dental Hospital
St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NN
Tel: 0121 237 2729
Fax: 0121 237 2750
Specialty Adviser in Miss K M Elley

Kingston House, 438 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 9LD
Tel: 0121 500 1617
Fax: 0121 500 1667
Specialty Adviser in Dr L Shaw

Birmingham Dental Hospital
St Chad’s Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NN
and at
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH
Tel: 0121 237 2874/2826
Fax: 0121 625 8815
MERSEY
Regional Adviser Dr N Pender

Room 411, Department of Clinical Dental Sciences
The University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX
Tel: 0151 706 5210/5030
Fax: 0151 706 5845
Specialty Adviser in Mr J C Cooper

Oral & Maxillofacial Regional Centre for Maxillofacial Surgery
Faculty Surgery University Hospital Aintree
Lower Lane, Liverpool, L9 7AL
of Tel: 0151 525 5980 (hospital)
Tel: 0151 529 5289 (secretary)
Dental Fax: 0151 529 3239
Surgery
Specialty Adviser in Mr S J Rudge
Orthodontics Department of Orthdontics
Halton General Hospital
Hospital Way, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2DA
Tel: 01928 753225
Fax: 01928 753491
Specialty Adviser in Dr K S Last
Restorative Dentistry Department of Periodontology
School of Dentistry, University of Liverpool
Pembroke Lace, Liverpool, L69 3BX
Tel: 0151 706 5215
Fax: 0151 706 5845
Specialty Adviser in Mr A M Jenner

South Cheshire Health Authority, 1829 Building,
Countess of Chester Park, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH2 1UL
Tel: 01244 650 353
Fax: 01244 650 341
Mobile: 07998 607519
Specialty Adviser in Mr D R Llewelyn

Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Eaton Road, Liverpool, L12 2AP
Tel: 0151 228 4811 x 2258
Fax: 0151 222 5563
NORTH WESTERN
Regional Adviser Mr R T M Woodwards,

North Manchester General Hospital
Delaunays Road, Crumpsall, Manchester, M8 6RL
Tel: 0161 720 2143/2243
Fax: 0161 720 2281
Specialty Adviser in Mr R E Lloyd

Surgery Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD
Tel: 0161 787 4728
Fax: 0161 787 4329
Specialty Adviser in Mr R Thompson

Orthodontics Orthodontic and Maxillofacial Unit
Withington Hospital
Nell Lane, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2LR Faculty
Tel: 0161 291 4088
Fax: 0161 291 4171 of
Dental
Specialty Adviser in Dr M A Wilson
Restorative Dentistry Department of Restorative Dentistry Surgery
University Dental Hospital of Manchester
Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6FH
Tel (direct): 0161 275 6619
Fax: 0161 275 6710
Specialty Adviser in Mr K Woods
NWLHA, Wesham Park Hospital
Derby Road, Wesham, Kirkham, Lancs PR4 3AL
Tel: 01253 306368
Tel (Secretary): 01253 306369
Fax: 01253 306374
Specialty Adviser in Mr F Hill

University of Manchester Dental School
Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6FH
Tel: 0161 275 6610
Fax: 0161 275 6776
WALES
Regional Adviser Mr D Patton

Maxillofacial Unit
Morriston Hospital, Swansea, SA6 6NL
Tel: 01792 703254
Fax: 01792 703068
Specialty Adviser in Mr P T Nicholson

Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, Princess of Wales Hospital
Coity Road, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, CF31 1RQ
Tel: 01656 752172
Fax: 01656 752706
Specialty Adviser in Dr D H Edmunds

Restorative Dentistry Adult Dental Health Department
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, Dental Hospital
Heath Park, Cardiff,CF14 4XY
Tel: 029 2074 2493
Fax: 029 2074 2493
Home Tel: 01446 772122
Specialty Adviser in Professor E Treasure

Dental Public Health Department of Dental Health & Development
The Dental School
Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY
Tel: 029 2074 4090
Faculty Fax: 029 2074 6489
of E-mail: [email protected]
Dental Specialty Adviser in

Paediatric Dentistry
Dr B Hunter
Department of Paediatric Dentistry
Surgery University Dental Hospital
Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XY
Tel: 029 2074 2465
Fax: 029 2074 2421
SCOTLAND
Regional Adviser Miss K Harley

Edinburgh Dental Institute
Children’s Clinic, Level 3
Lauriston Building, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9YW
Tel: 0131 536 4904
Fax: 0131 536 4901
NORTHERN IRELAND
Regional Adviser Professor J McGimpsey

School of Dentistry
Royal VictoriaHospital
Grosvenor Road, Belfast, BT12 6BA
Tel: 028 9026 3122
Fax: 028 9043 8861
Specialty Adviser in Dr D Burden

Orthodontics Orthodontic Department
School of Dentistry
Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA
Tel: 028 9026 3122
Fax: 028 9043 8861
Specialty Adviser in Dr M Kinirons

Paediatric Dentistry Department of Paediatric and Preventative Dentistry
Royal Victoria Hospital
Tel: 028 9089 4673/ 028 9089 4728
Fax: 028 9043 8861
Specialty Adviser in Mr R W Kendrick

Oral & Maxillofacial Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Surgery Royal Victoria Hospital
Tel: 028 9089 4734
Fax: 028 9043 8861
Specialty Adviser in Miss H M M Clarke

Southern Health and Social Services Board Faculty
Department of Health Strategy and Primary Care
Tower Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DR of
Tel: 028 3741 4570
Fax: 028 3741 4551 Dental
Surgery
MFDS REGIONAL TUTORS
East Anglia Region Mr J Bottomley

Department of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Gayton Road, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE30 4ET
Tel: 01553 613696
Mersey Region Mr R Llewelyn

Liverpool University Dental Hospital
Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5PS
Tel: 0151 706 2000 X5022
Northern Region Mr D J Jacobs

Department of Restorative Dentistry
The Dental Hospital
Richardson Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 4AZ
Tel: 0191 282 4247, Bleep: 2321
North Western Region Mr M Foster

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
North Manchester General Hospital
Central Drive, Manchester M8 6RB
Tel: 0161 624 0420 Ext 8535
Oxford Region Mr C Tomlins

Department of Oral Surgery
Royal Berkshire Hospital
Reading, Berkshire RG1 5AN
Tel: 0118 987 5111 X7668
South Western Region Ms J Rooney

Postgraduate Department
Chapter House, Bristol Dental Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol BS1 2LY
Tel: 0117 928 4522
Professor J Sandy
Division of Child Dental Health
Faculty Dental School, Bristol Dental Hospital
of Tel: 0117 928 4355
Dental
Mr M Woodhead
Surgery Department of Restorative Dentistry
University of Bristol Dental Hospital
Tel: 0117 928 4389
Mr G M Jones
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
Tel: 01752 763 206
Mr C Perkins
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery
Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham
Glos GL53 7AN
Tel: 01242 273 197
Mr C Schnetler
Royal United Hospital, Combe Park, Bath BA1 3NG
Tel: 01225 428 331
Mr S Adcock
Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust
City Hospital, Infirmary Hill, Truro TR1 2HZ
Tel: 01872 253986
Thames Region Dr A Howat

Orthodontic Department
Old Church Hospital
Waterloo Road, Romford, Essex RM7 0BE
Tel: 01708 727 871
Miss S Cunningham
Eastman Dental Institute
256 Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD
Tel: 020 7915 1000 Ext 1317
Thames Region Mr M Twitchen

10 Chestnut Close, The Dell, Angmering, West Sussex BN16 4NF
Tel: 01903 774649 (Home)
Wessex Region Mr G Zaki

Queen Alexandra Hospital
Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO6 3LY Faculty
Tel: 02392 286736
E-mail: [email protected] of
Trent Region Mr J Rowson Dental
30 The Ropewalk, Nottingham, NG1 5DW
Surgery
Tel: 0115 977 0000 Ext 48916
West Midlands Region Mr S Dover

Clinical Training
The Dental School
University of Birmingham, St Chad’s, Queensway, Birmingham B4 6NN
Tel: 0121 627 1627
Yorkshire Region Mr M R Cope
Hull Royal Infirmary
Anlaby Road, Hull HU3 2JZ
Tel: 01482 674225
Scotland Mr J R Radford
Unit of Comprehensive Restorative Care
University of Dundee Dental School
Park Place, Dundee DD1 4HN
Tel (Home): 01382 543047
Tel (Work): 01382 635956
Wales Dr W McLaughlin
Modular Education Department
Dental School, University of Wales Dental Hospital
Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY
Tel: 02920 742420
Northern Ireland Mr R W Kendrick

School of Dentistry, The Royal Group of Hospitals
Tel: 02890 894734
Fax: 02890 438861
Faculty
of
Dental
Surgery
APPENDIX 3
Useful Contacts for General Professional Training
Faculty Education Office

Robert Bradlaw Adviser: Vacant
Education Administrator: Miss Fatima Bulbulia
MFDS Administrator: Miss Kelly Turner
MFDS Course Assistant: Mrs Kate Popo-Ola
Courses/Meetings Co-ordinator: Mumtaz Rehman/Ms Pauline Conroy

35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
Tel: 020 7869 6815

Fax: 020 7869 6816
College Examinations Office

35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
Tel: 020 7869 6821

Fax: 020 7869 6290
Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/exams
National Advice Centre for Postgraduate Dental Education

Postgraduate Advisor: Dr IM Waite
Administrator: Miss Suky Overda

Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields Faculty
London
WC2A 3PE of
Tel: 020 7869 6804 Dental
Fax: 020 7869 6816
E-mail: [email protected] Surgery
Website: www.nacpde.org.uk
Committee for Vocational Training for England and Wales

Website: www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/cvt
Telephone: 070 7915 2320
Postgraduate Dental Deans
DEAN / DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY / REGION ORGANISATION & ADDRESS
Professor John FRAME Birmingham/West Midlands University of Birmingham

Regional Director of Postgraduate Postgraduate Office Dental School
Dental Education St Chad’s Queensway Birmingham B4 6NN
Dr Chris FRANKLIN Sheffield/Trent Trent (University of Sheffield)

Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean Regional Postgraduate Dental Office
Medical School Beech Hill Road
Sheffield S10 2RX
Mrs Janet HEATH Cambridge & Eastern Postgraduate Medical & Dental Education
Regional Director of Postgraduate East Anglian Deanery
Dental Education Block 3, Ida Darwin Site
Fulbourn Cambridge CB1 5EE
Mr Richard JUNIPER Oxford Oxford University

Director of Postgraduate Dental Oxford Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education
Education The Triangle Roosevelt Drive
Headington Oxford OX3 7XP
Mr Brian GRIEVESON Liverpool/North West (Mersey) The University of Liverpool Department of

Dean of Postgraduate Dental Postgraduate Dental Education and Training
Education and Training Gnd. Floor Hamilton House 24 Pall Mall Liverpool L3 6AL
Mr Alasdair MILLER Bristol/South West University of Bristol

Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean Dental Postgraduate Department
The Chapter House Bristol Dental Hospital
Lower Maudlin Street Bristol BS1 2LY
Mr Eric NASH Wales University of Wales College of Medicine

Director of Postgraduate Dental Dental Postgraduate Department
Education Room 131 Dental School
Heath Park Cardiff CF4 4XY
Mr Jim RALPH Leeds/Yorkshire University of Leeds

Dean of Postgraduate Dental Department for NHS Postgraduate Medical
Education and Dental Education
Willow Terrace Road Leeds LS2 9JT
Mr Ray REED Southampton/Wessex University of Southampton

Regional Postgraduate Dental Dean Wessex Deanery Highcroft
Romsey Road Winchester S022 5DH
Dr Jim RENNIE Scotland SCPMDE 4th Floor Hobart House

Director of Postgraduate Dental 80 Hanover Street Edinburgh EH2 1EL
Education
Dr Ian WAITE London/Thames TPMDE 33 Millman Street

Dean of Postgraduate Dentistry London WC1N 3EJ
Faculty
of
Dental Mr Ian SAUNDERS
Postgraduate Dental Dean
Northern Ireland NICPMDE 5 Annadale Avenue
Belfast BT7 3JH
Surgery
Mr David SMITH Newcastle/North University of Newcastle
Dental Postgraduate Dean Postgraduate Institute for Medicine and Dentistry
10-12 Framlington Place Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4AB
Mr Geoff TAYLOR Manchester/North West University of Manchester

Dean of Postgraduate Dentistry Department of Postgraduate Medicine and Dentistry
Gateway House Piccadilly South Manchester M60 7LP
TEL., FAX & E-MAIL ADMINISTRATOR WEBSITE ADDRESS
TEL., FAX & E-MAIL
Tel: 0121 237 830/2831 Mrs Pam Jefferis www.postgrad-dentistry.bham.ac.uk/
Fax: 0121 237 2833 Tel: 0121 237 2830
Mobile: 08 50 50 37 47 Fax: 0121 237 2833
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: Office – 0114 271 7983/7986 Mrs J Arkell www.derweb.co.uk/pgde-trent/

Tel: Direct – 0114 271 7955 Tel: 0114 271 7983
Fax: Office –0114 271 7990 Fax: 0114 271 7990
Fax: Direct –0114 268 7358 E-mail: [email protected]
Mobile: 07836 780133
Tel: 01223 884850 Mr Keith Pearce www.camdent.org.uk/

Fax: 01223 884849 Tel: 01223 884852 Fax: 01223 884849
Mobile: 0860 217645 E-mail:[email protected]
E-mail: Ms Kate Wood Tel:01223 884850
[email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 01865 740650 Mr Christopher Cannon Dental Administrator www.oxdent.ac.uk/

Fax: 01865 740699 Tel: 01865 740654
E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01865 740699
Tel: 0151 285 2214 Mrs E Graney Business Manager www.dental12.demon.co.uk/web2000/

Fax: 0151 285 2378 Tel: 0151 285 2252 Fax: 0151 285 2378
Tel: 0117 927 3857 Mrs Debbie Marriott www.dent.bris.ac.uk/dpg/

Tel: 0117 928 4525 Tel: 0117 928 4524
Fax: 0117 928 4526 Fax: 0117 928 4526
Tel: 029 2074 4317 Mrs Hannah Thomas www.dentpostgradwales.ac.uk/

Fax: 029 2074 3960 Tel: 029 2074 2594
E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 029 2074 3960
(Dental Postgrad) Pager: 01893 922516 E-mail:[email protected]
Tel: 0113 233 1505 Mrs Victoria Jones www.leeds.ac.uk/pgdentistry/

Fax: 0113 233 1531 Tel: 0113 233 1525
E-mail: Fax: 0113 233 1531
[email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 01962 863511 Fax: 01962 877663 Mrs Joan Horley www.wessex.org.uk/dental/
Mobile: 0850 937180 Tel: 01962 863511 Ex 205 Fax: 01962 877663
Tel: 0131 220 8607 Mrs Shelagh McLeish www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scpmde/

Fax: 0131 225 5891 Tel: 0131 220 8612
Car phone: 0831 222 406 E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 020 7692 3148 Miss Margaret Hughes www.dental.tpmde.ac.uk/

Fax: 020 7692 3115 Tel: 020 7692 3148 Fax: 020 7692 3115
Ms Patricia Toward Tel: 020 7692 3147
Mrs Chris Clarke Tel: 020 7692 3175
Faculty
of
Miss M Erskine www.nident.org.uk/
Tel: 028 9049 4809
Fax: 028 9064 2279 Tel: 028 9049 4809 Fax: 028 9064 2279 Dental
Mrs Lesley Whan Tel: 028 9049 4809
Surgery
Tel: 0191 222 8345/8925 Janis Wilkinson Administrative Assistant www.ncl.ac.uk/~nrpimd/
Fax: 0191 221 1049 Tel: 0191 222 8927
Mobile: 0374 613168 E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 0161 237 2151 Mrs Alison Bali www.pgmd.man.ac.uk/

Fax: 0161 237 2613 Tel: 0161 237 2151 Fax: 0161 237 2613
Mobile: 0831 602281 E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected] Mrs Patricia Briggs Tel: 0161 237 2776
APPENDIX 4
MFDS Distance Learning Course
The Diploma of Member of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) is a qualification which is
designed for those undergoing general professional training who wish to qualify for entry to
specialist training.
If you wish to obtain the MFDS qualification there will be new clinical challenges to meet as
well as new practical skills to acquire through on-the-job experience. At the same time you will
need a clear understanding of the extent of the MFDS syllabus. You will also need to know in
what depth to study the constituent subjects. Most of all you will need to pace your study
evenly throughout the twenty month training period.
To help those preparing for the MFDS examination the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal
College of Surgeons of England has produced a comprehensive 20-month distance learning
course. The materials have been developed by a team of authors led by the Robert Bradlaw
Adviser to the Faculty of Dental Surgery. All those involved are experienced teachers and many
are examiners who have worked in conjunction with distance learning experts.
The MFDS Distance Learning Course begins each September and is designed to prepare
trainees to sit Part A of the MFDS examination the next September and Parts B and C of the
examination in April / May of the following year. However, the trainee may choose to take any
part of the MFDS examinations at any of the two sittings per year.
Key Advantages of the MFDS Distance Learning Course

● “On the job” relevance - you follow a structured programme of learning alongside your
practical training without interrupting your training.
● The course is portable - you can study it whenever and wherever you wish.
● You can do the work at times to suit you. Average study time is 12-15 hours per week, but
there will be some individual variation. Study leave need not be taken for this course.
● You have a workbook which is like a personal tutor, available to guide your learning, explain
what is relevant and what can be left until later. We help you to obtain all your textbooks,
we provide additional reading material that you need and we provide an advice phone line
to the College to give administrative and pastoral support. In addition you will be put in
contact with a Faculty Tutor who can give you help, advice and answer any academically-
Faculty related questions.
● The course is flexible - you can take it over the recommended 20-month period, or you may
of increase or decrease this period as you wish.
Dental ● You will be entitled to attend two Study Days which will be held at the Royal College of
Surgeons of England at no additional cost.
Surgery
Structure and Content
The MFDS distance learning course is divided into ten modules which match to sections of
the MFDS syllabus. (Note: Module 3 covers both sections 3 and 4 of the syllabus)
● Modules 1-5 are examined in Part A of the MFDS examination.

● Modules 6-10 are examined along with Modules 1-5 in Parts B and C of the MFDS
examination.
MODULE 1 MODULE 2 MODULE 3 MODULE 4 MODULE 5
Craniofacial Oral biology, oral Essential Medicine Radiology, Medical ethics

development and pathology and for the MFDS radiation hazards and medico-legal
growth microbiology and imaging aspects of
dentistry
MODULE 6 MODULE 7 MODULE 8 MODULE 9 MODULE 10
General clinical Neurology, Therapeutics in Epidemiology, Audit and clinical

dentistry including psychology and relation to statistics and information
clinical sciences psychiatry in dentistry preventive technology
relation to dentistry dentistry
The Materials
The MFDS distance learning course materials consist of:
● Workbooks which cover the material for each Module. These are the equivalent of your
personal tutor, are easy to carry with you and provides advice on each topic. They will
direct you to textbooks or other readings. They also contain questions to test your
knowledge, spaces for you to write in, and a detailed feedback section.
● Readers which contain articles and extracts from texts to supplement your core textbooks.
These may be either carefully chosen review articles or extracts from other textbooks, or
material written or adapted by our authors to meet the needs of the course. The aim is to
summarise and highlight the key points of a topic, thus saving you time and keeping you in
touch with current viewpoints.
● Computer software related to specific aspects of the course.
Textbooks Faculty
The MFDS distance learning course assumes that you will have access to the core textbooks
of
in the specified editions, as shown on the Book Order Form. The edition is important because Dental
each Module guides you to specific sections in the textbook.
Surgery
NB. The course fee does not cover the cost of textbooks. However, they may be purchased
from the College at a discount provided that you are enrolled on the MFDS distance
learning course.
Study Days
Study Days are an integral part of the course. They are designed to consolidate your learning
and to enlarge upon elements of the course material. They will consist of a combination of
lectures, small-group workshops and question and answer sessions.
Getting Started on the MFDS Distance Learning Course
What is the course fee ?

The fee for the course is £1000 if payment is made in full by cheque or credit/debit card. If
payment is made using the instalment option or by the employing organisation the total fee is
£1050 payable in two instalments of £525. (Fee schedules correct as at April 2001).
What do I receive in return for the course fee ?

The course fee covers the cost of Workbooks, associated Readers and related computer
software. It also entitles you to attend two special Study Days held at the College.
Additionally, you will be given academic support by your Regional Tutor and will be able to
purchase the core textbooks at a discounted price.
Should I discuss the course with my Faculty Tutor ?

A Faculty Tutor in each Region has been appointed by the Faculty of Dental Surgery to
oversee your training. We recommend that you discuss your plans with your Faculty Tutor. You
will be informed about any clinical teaching which has been arranged to complement the
MFDS distance learning course.
Whom do I contact at the Faculty of Dental Surgery ?

If you have any queries regarding the MFDS Distance Learning Course please contact the
Education Administrator in the Faculty of Dental Surgery.
Direct telephone: 020 7869 6815/13

Direct fax: 020 7869 6816
If you have any queries regarding the syllabus and regulations governing the MFDS
examination please contact the Examinations Department at the College.
Direct telephone: 020 7869 6821

Direct fax: 020 7869 6290
Faculty E-mail: [email protected]
of
Dental NB. It is the responsibility of individual trainees to confirm their eligibility to enter the MFDS
examination.
Surgery
When may I enrol ?
You may enrol at any time. However, the course will begin each September and to gain the
full benefit of the learning programme, you should enrol at this time. The MFDS application
form can be obtained from the MFDS office or downloaded from the internet:
www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the
Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal
College of Surgeons of England.
No responsibility for loss occasioned to any

person acting or refraining from action as a
result of the material in this publication can
be accepted by the Faculty of Dental
Surgery, The Royal college of Surgeons
of England.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE

35 - 43 Lincolns Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE
Telephone: 020 7405 3474 Fax: 020 7869 6816
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds
Registered Charity No. 212808
Copyright © 2001 Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England

General Professional Training

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

General Professional Training

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

General Professional Training

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

General Professional Training

in England and Wales

It is a great pleasure to introduce General Professional Training in England and

Whatever direction the graduate’s career eventually takes, a diplomate of the

Life Long Learning

General Professional Training

The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Faculty Website at: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds

The General Dental Council

Website at: www.gdc-uk.org

The Committee on Vocational Training

Website at: www.eastman.ucl.ac.uk/cvt

The Dental Faculties of The Surgical Royal Colleges

Further information and contacts can be found on the website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fds

Further information and contacts can be found on the website: www.rcseng.ac.uk/fgdp

Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors of Education

Training in the hospital or community service is supported educationally by the Hospital or

General Dental Practice

Eligibility for Vocational Training

UK and EEA Dentists

● are fully registered with the General Dental Council

Hospital Dental Service

Community Dental Service

A survey undertaken by the University of Birmingham, in collaboration with the Faculty of

3. Motives for undertaking GPT included:

● Gaining a wide range of experience

4. A postgraduate qualification to mark the completion of GPT was favoured.

5. GPT was generally perceived to improve job prospects.

The Research Office

To be eligible for the award of the diploma all candidates must:

Candidates are required to provide evidence of completion of a minimum of 12 months

● have passed part A.

● have passed Parts A and B.

Hospital Dental Service

Community Dental Service

Community Dental Service

Defence Dental Agency

Further details may be obtained from the following:

Opportunities for Training in Approved Hospital Posts

Approved training under the MFDS regulations is available in three ways:

Trainees are recommended to seek clarification of the status of postgraduate training at an

3 Vocational Training – Eligibility, Committee on Vocational Training for England and

4 General Professional Training in Dentistry - A survey of participants in the MFDS

7 A Guide to Specialist Registrar Training, Department of Health, February 1998.

9 Specialisation in Dentistry – A Practical Guide, Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal

The GDC’s Lifelong Learning – Re-certification for the Dental Profession

CPD is classed as verifiable if some form of external documentary verification of attendance or

● Concise educational aims and objectives

● Clear anticipated outcomes

● Quality control through feedback

Specific examples include courses organised by professional bodies, such as the

The Faculty of Dental Surgery, The Royal College of Surgeons of England

● To provide a forum to promote good practice and clinical effectiveness in dentistry.

How Does the Faculty Fulfil its Role?

The Board of Faculty

Regional Adviser Mr C J Edge

Specialty Adviser in Mr D G Smith

Specialty Adviser in Mr J Stewart

Regional Adviser Dr M Kellett

Specialty Adviser Mr R A Loukota