Person specification and entry criteria for Dental Core Training DCT1 2024 recruitment.

Important: Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page. The information presented is accurate at the time of publication. 

Essential entry criteria

Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent dental qualification

When is this evaluated?i

  • Application form

 

i ‘When is this evaluated’ is indicative but may be carried out at any time throughout the selection process. 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be registered with the GDC by time of post commencementii
  • be eligible to work in the UK
  • have evidence of at least 12 months whole time equivalent Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) postgraduate clinical experience to the scope of a dentistiii by time of post commencement
  • for posts based wholly or partly in Primary Careiv be eligible to join the Dental Performers List for England, Northern Ireland Dental List, NHS Scotland Health Boards Dental List or the Dental Performers List (Wales)
  • provide evidence of ability to arrange transport to meet the requirements of the postv

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centrevi

 

ii Refers to the date at which the post commences.

iii There is an exemption for dual qualified applicants, who can apply directly from the undergraduate dental programme, if they have evidence of completing the UK medical foundation programme.

iv Essential for all DCT training posts based in Primary Care setting and desirable for all other posts. Not essential for Community Dental Service posts in Northern Ireland or Wales.

v Many DCT posts require the post holder to travel between different hospital/clinic sites within a working day. 

vi ‘Selection centre’ refers to a process, not a place.  It involves a number of selection activities which may be delivered within the unit of application.

Fitness to practise
  • Is up to date and fit to practise safely.
  • Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check in England and Wales/Disclosure Scotland (PVG) in Scotland/Access NI in Northern Ireland or equivalent.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • References
Language skills

Applicants must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English, adequate to enable effective communication with patients and colleagues, as assessed by the General Dental Councilvii.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre

 

vii The language skills requirement for DCT recruitment are based on those required for GDC registration.

Health

Applicants must:

  • meet professional health requirements (in line with GDC Standards)

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Pre-employment health screening
Career progression

Applicants must:

  • be able to provide complete details of their employment history
  • have evidence that their career progression is consistent with their personal circumstances
  • have evidence that their present level of achievement and performance is commensurate with the totality of their period of training
  • not have previously completed a UK Dental Core Training Year 1 programme, which commenced no earlier than September 2016, by the start date of the post

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre
Application completion

All sections of application form completed fully according to written guidelines.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form

Selection criteria

Clinical skills - clinical knowledge and expertise

Essential

  • Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and awareness to full investigation of problems.
  • Capable of conducting operative procedures.
  • Experience of clinical governance including clinical audit or significant event analysis.
  • Understand the principles and relevance of clinical research.

Desirable

  • Evidence of participation in research.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre
  • References
Personal skills

Essential

Communication skills
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Capacity to adjust behaviour and language as appropriate to needs of differing situations.
Conceptual thinking and problem solving
  • Capacity to think beyond the obvious, with analytical and flexible mind.
Empathy and sensitivity
  • Capacity and motivation to take in others’ perspectives and to treat others with understanding.
  • Demonstrates an understanding of a patient centred approach.
Team work and leadership
  • Capacity to work effectively in partnership with others as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • Evidence of leadership.
Organisation and planning
  • Demonstrate effective organisational skills, including ability to plan and prioritise own workload to meet deadlines.
IT skills
  • Good use of IT systems and packages.
Coping with pressure
  • Capacity to know own limitations and be prepared to seek advice.
  • Potential to cope with stressful situations and undertake responsibility.
Values
  • Understands, respects, and demonstrates the following values: everyone counts; improving lives; commitment to quality of care; respect and dignity; working together for patients; compassion.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre
  • References
Probity - professional integrity

Essential

  • Capacity to take responsibility for own actions.
  • Demonstrates respect for all.
  • Able to demonstrate professional attitude.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre
  • References
Commitment to learning and personal development

Essential

  • Commitment to prospective training post and demonstrates insight into the structure and benefits of Dental Core Training.
  • Capacity and motivation to learn from experience and constantly update skills/knowledge.

Desirable

  • Clear desire to pursue.
  • Evidence of teaching experience.
  • Enthusiasm for teaching; exposure to different groups/teaching methods.
  • Publications.
  • Presentations.

When is this evaluated?

  • Application form
  • Selection centre
  • References

Page last reviewed: 21 September 2023