Glossary of terminology

A record of an unintended event or near misses involving a patient.

A formal yearly assessment that reviews a trainee dentist's progress through a specialty training program.

A dental surgical procedure to remove the tip of a tooth's root (the apex) and any surrounding infected tissue. May also be referred to as ‘periradicular surgery’.

A quality review process that seeks to improve patient care and outcomes through systematic review of care against explicit criteria and the implementation of change.

The professional association and registered trade union organisation for dentists in the United Kingdom.

An eating disorder characterised by episodes of consuming a lot of food quickly, followed by compensatory behaviour, most commonly vomiting.

An independent regulator of all health and adult social care services in England. The commission ensures the quality and safety of care in hospitals, dentists, ambulances, and care homes, and the care given in people’s own homes.

A child who requires specialised dental support to achieve a reasonable standard of health and development, often due to a need for services beyond what a general dentist can provide.

A range of professionals from the child’s school, health services, police and social workers with the aim to keep the child safe from ongoing risk of harm.

The lead clinician for a particular department in the hospital.

A clinical logbook is a record used by dental students and professionals to document their training activities, acquired skills, and patient experiences in clinical settings. It serves as a tool for monitoring progress, ensuring educational objectives are met, and providing a basis for self-reflection and feedback from supervisors.

A trainer who is designated and appropriately trained to be responsible for overseeing a specified trainee’s clinical work in a clinical environment, providing constructive feedback during that training period, and informing the summative judgment at the end of that clinical training period and/or series of periods.

The term used to describe the learning activities professionals engage in to develop and enhance their abilities.

The process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, and its value and relevance in a particular context.

A role that ensures all employees comply with data protection guidelines by providing training for all staff types and acting as an initial point of contact for any data protection issues that may arise.

Professional organisation which undertakes to protect, support and safeguard the character and interests of registered dental practitioners and/or Dental Care Professionals in the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

The feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness associated with dental visits or treatment. It can range from mild uneasiness to severe phobia, and can significantly impact oral health due to avoidance of necessary dental care.

A trainer who is selected and appropriately trained to be responsible for the overall supervision and management of a specified trainee’s trajectory of learning and educational progress during a clinical training period and/or series of periods. Every trainee must have a named educational supervisor.

A technique often used in surgery to control bleeding and to rapidly dissect soft tissue during surgery.

A medical treatment facility focused on emergency medicine and the acute care of patients who present without a prior appointment.

An individual who attends appointments with patients when there is a need for assistance, protecting and supporting them.

The removal of the infected pulp from the tooth.

"Freedom to speak up" (FTSU) team is a support system for all dental professionals to raise concerns about patient safety and workplace culture without fear of retribution. May be referred to as “speaking up safely”.

An organisation which regulates all dental professionals in the United Kingdom. The GDC is tasked with ensuring that all dental professionals maintain up to date knowledge, upholding the quality of dental education in the country, ensuring a proper quality of care is given to the patients, and addressing patient concerns about registrants.

A doctor based in the community who treats patients with minor or chronic illnesses and refers those with serious conditions to a hospital.

An initiative that allows NHS colleagues to share appreciation of each other and say thank you. Submission of a GREAT-ix results in a formal thank you letter and potentially other recognition.

A form filled out to provide a detailed record of events that occurred during critical patient incidents.

A formal process halfway through the DCT year, to check the progress of the DCT against anticipated learning outcomes. This feeds into the end of year final review of competency.

A body that is a point of contact for issues relating to the wellbeing of society members.

A shortened term for "Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery". This surgical specialty focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth, jaws, face, and neck.

A group of different dental specialists who collaborate to provide comprehensive and coordinated care for complex cases.

A referral for specialist treatment on the NHS.

Occupational health focuses on maintaining and promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of employees in the workplace. It aims to prevent work-related ill-health and manage any existing health conditions that may affect an employee's ability to work. This includes assessing risks, providing advice on adjustments, and supporting employees with health issues.

A surgical specialty that combines medical and dental expertise to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the mouth, jaws, face, and neck. The practice includes routine procedures like wisdom tooth removal and complex surgeries such as treating head and neck cancers, repairing facial trauma, and correcting skeletal deformities.

Commonly known as an aphthous ulcer or canker sore. These are non-contagious, painful sores that appear on the soft tissues inside the mouth, such as the cheeks, lips, and tongue.

An individual responsible for the management and delivery of postgraduate dental education, and for supporting the continued professional development of dentists and Dental Care Professionals.

A part of the NHS that works with Local Authorities and other agencies that provide health and social care locally, to make sure that local community needs are being met. Much of this is delivered by free-standing NHS bodies.

An individual’s level of psychological happiness/health, encompassing life satisfaction, and feelings of accomplishment.

An expert or specialist in the human mind, behaviour and emotions.

A part of a root canal treatment which is performed to save a tooth where the innermost part (the pulp) has become badly infected.

A dark or black area on a dental X-ray, indicating that the tissue is less dense and has allowed the X-rays to pass through.

A doctor or dentist undertaking Specialty Training.

The individual responsible for planning the shifts for employees.

Safeguarding in healthcare means protecting vulnerable people, such as children and adults with care needs, from abuse, neglect, and exploitation to ensure their health, well-being, and human rights.

A body that works to provide urgent or planned care, sometimes referred to as “hospital or community care”.

The body’s response to infection which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, or death.

A supervisor of two or more Dental Core Trainees.

A way of formally analysing incidents that may have implications for patient care. May be referred to as a critical incident or critical event.

A team of social workers who work with patients and their families to help that person maintain or recover their health and strengthen their ability to adapt and reintegrate into society.

A dentist who is training towards becoming a consultant in their chosen specialty, after completion of both Dental Foundation and Dental Core Training (or equivalent).

Time that dentists in training can take during their training to attend a course, prepare for an exam, or revise topics.

A clinical or educational supervisor (please see separate definitions).

A TMD/jaw joint clinic, also known as a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clinic, specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the jaw joint.

The individual responsible for co-ordinating training together with all designated Educational Supervisors for one particular scheme or group of trainees in a Deanery area.

An NHS policy under which patients with suspected conditions such as cancer and heart disease can quickly and directly be referred to a specialist.

An individual with the power to make decisions about the daily routine (washing, dressing, eating), medical care, moving into a care home and life-sustaining medical treatment of an individual.