Self assessment (ST1) 2025

Orthodontics ST1 recruitment

Part of the Oriel application form for this specialty includes a series of self assessment questions.

You'll need to provide clear evidence to justify your answers.

There are a series of multiple-choice self assessment questions built into the self assessment form. For these questions, you need to select the most appropriate response.

If you are successful at longlisting the recruitment office will contact you with regards to uploading evidence on the self assessment portal.

Your responses to the self assessment questions will be verified against the evidence you submit, on the self assessment portal. 

Evidence to substantiate your answers must be easily identified and follow the strict guidance given.

The recruitment office is not able to advise you about which response you should select for any question. You must select the response you feel you will be able to justify to the verification panel, using the evidence you provide.

Please note there is a separate self assessment form if you're applying to Orthodontics ST4.

Important: Important

If it's discovered that any response is false or misleading or if you provide evidence containing Patient Identifiable Data, you may be referred to a Probity Panel.

We reserve the right to use anti-plagiarism software.

Submitting your self assessment

We'll be using a separate system for collating and verifying the self assessment evidence. Details of the system, timelines and how to upload your evidence will be provided to shortlisted applicants after longlisting has been completed.  

You'll be expected to upload a single document per question only and you will have from 14th February 2025 (10am) to 24th February 2025 (4pm) to upload your evidence.

Your documents will then be verified against your self assessment score by a clinician. After verification has been completed applicants will be provided with feedback detailing any amended scores.

Your self assessment evidence

The verification panel will only be able to assess the evidence you provide. They will not contact you to request additional evidence.

This means you should provide all evidence in a clear format so it's easy to identify and assess.

More information about the self assessment upload portal can be found in the “Self Assessment Evidence Portal - Applicant Guide” document in the specialty training site's resource bank.

Self assessment appeals process

Once you have received your self assessment scoresheet, if you feel you have been scored incorrectly you can submit an appeal.

Instructions for submitting an appeal will be included in the email containing your scoresheet.

You will be given 48 hours to submit your appeal.

You will not be able to upload any additional documents during the appeals process, appeals can only be made using the evidence originally submitted. 

An appeals panel will review your appeal. Scores awarded by the appeals panel are final and there is no further recourse to appeal.

2025 Orthodontics ST1 national self assessment form

Listed below are the self assessment questions that appear on the application form along with the possible responses to each question. Your responses to these self assessment questions will determine your own score. You will need to provide evidence to substantiate your responses via the self assessment portal; this evidence will be validated by a panel and used to derive your final validated score.

Any lack of evidence, or lack of clarity provided by applicants will lead to an amendment of the score. It is the responsibility of the candidate to provide clear and unambiguous evidence for the process.

Your evidence must be submitted to the portal between 14th February 2025 (10am) to 24th February 2025 (4pm). Please refer to the relevant section of the applicant guidance for details of the evidence required.

Formatting your submission

  • Please submit a separate PDF file for each of the 12 self assessment questions.
  • Applicants should upload all evidence for each question. This may include you uploading the same evidence used for a previous question.
  • The panel will only be able to assess the evidence you provide. They will not contact you to request additional evidence. You are therefore requested to provide all evidence in a clear format so that this can easily be identified and assessed.

Dos and don'ts

  • The recruitment office is not able to advise you about which response you should select for any question. You must select the response you feel you will be able to justify to the panel, using the evidence you provide.
  • No evidence can be submitted retrospectively.
  • Evidence should not contain patient identifiable data.

There's a self assessment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on Oriel to assist applicants when filling out certain questions on the form.

All time periods stated refer to Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of employment (excluding any periods of statutory leave).

Question 1

At the proposed time of post commencement*, how many months (WTE)** will you have spent in total in DCT posts/specialty dentist posts (SAS) or Salaried Service posts *** or DCT equivalent? Please do not include Dental Foundation Training or any other posts.

Question 1 responses

Responses

Scores
0 to 12 months

0
13 to 24 months

2
25+ months 6

Evidence

  • Please provide evidence of completion of training posts detailing the clinical duties undertaken, for example a timetable, job description, HR letter.
  • For non-training posts please provide a copy of the front page of your contract of employment which includes dates and includes an outline of the duties you have undertaken. For example, a timetable validated by lead clinician or employer.
  • National Certificate of Dental Core Equivalence will count as 24 months.
  • ***This excludes DFT.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
Question 2

At the time of application opening, have you been awarded MFDS or MJDF? You must have completed all parts; completion of Part 1 only does not count.

Question 2 responses

Responses

Scores
No

0
Yes 2

Evidence

  • Please provide your certificate.
  • If you have not yet received your certificate, please provide confirmation that you have passed both parts of the examination.
Question 3

At the time of application opening, how many complete quality improvement projects (QIP)/complete audit cycles (i.e. first audit/project, action plan and re-audit/assessment to quantify impact of intervention) have you undertaken in the last 36 months (WTE)* of employment (excluding any periods of statutory leave)? Evidence for no more than a total of 3 audits/QIP should be included.

Question 3 responses

Responses

Scores
None

0
1 complete audit cycle (i.e first audit/project, action plan and re-audit/assessment to quantify impact of intervention/QIP) 1
2 separate complete audit cycles/QIPs 3
3 separate complete audit cycles/QIPs 5

Evidence

  • For each QIP/audit please provide a summary (for example, a PowerPoint presentation) – including:
    • first QIP/audit
    • action plan
    • evaluations/re-audit/assessment to quantify impact of intervention, led by yourself
    • dates QIP/audit undertaken
  • Please evidence your involvement in each QIP/audit, for example, email acknowledgement of registration of QIP/audit with Clinical Governance team or response from QIP/audit lead.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
Question 4

At the time of application opening, please select the statement that best describes your experience in delivering formal teaching events of relevance to dentistry such as a small group (at least 2 attendees) tutorial or lecture, of a minimum length of 30 minutes (this excludes clinical supervision). Please note a teaching session is a minimum of 30 minutes.

Question 4 responses

Responses

Scores
None

0
I am occasionally engaged in teaching. For example, small group tutorials, lectures etc. on no more than 5 distinct occasions within the last 36 months (WTE) 1
I am regularly engaged in teaching. For example small group tutorials, lectures etc, on at least 6 to 10 distinct occasions within the last 36 months (WTE) 2
I am regularly engaged in teaching. For example, small group tutorials, lectures etc on 11 or more distinct occasions within the last 36 months (WTE) 4

Evidence

  • Please provide evaluation from attendees who were present at the teaching event which should include the date, time, how long the session lasts in minutes/hours and target audience.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
  • A collated summary of feedback should be provided and verified by a senior colleague
Question 5

Have you achieved any publications within the last 60 months (WTE)* prior to date of application opening? This excludes published abstracts.

Select the highest scoring option applicable.

Question 5 responses

Responses

Scores
None

0
Letter/book review/non-peer reviewed article/or non-peer reviewed e-publication 1
Case report 3
One peer reviewed publication 4
More than one peer reviewed publication 5

Evidence

  • For each publication, please include a screenshot or PDF copy of the publication or the acceptance letter from the relevant journal.
  • Do not include publication of a poster or an oral presentation abstract as they will not be counted as evidence.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
  • It is the applicants repsonsiblity to evidence that the article is peer reviewed.
Question 6

At the time of application opening, have you given a local (within working environment), regional (deanery or NHS region), national (UK wide) or international (international/continent society meeting) oral presentation within the last 60 months (WTE)*?

NB: An oral narrative to a poster presentation is excluded from this category.

Select the highest scoring option applicable.

Question 6 responses

Responses

Scores
None

0
Local 1
Regional 2
National 4
International 6

Evidence

  • Please provide a copy of the relevant page of the meeting programme(s) naming you as a presenter.
  • This can include cancelled events (due to the pandemic) at which you have been invited to speak. Please provide speaker programme as evidence.
  • An oral narrative to a poster presentation is excluded from this category.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
Question 7

At the time of application opening, have you given any local (within working environment)/regional (deanery or NHS region)/national (UK wide)/international (international/continent society meeting) poster presentations in the last 60 months (WTE)*?

Select the highest scoring option applicable.

Question 7 responses

Responses

Scores
None

0
Local 1
Regional 2
National 4
International 6

Evidence

  • Please provide a copy of the relevant page or digital screenshot of the meeting programme(s) naming you as a presenter.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
Question 8

Please provide evidence of commitment to the specialty you are applying for, over the last 36 months (WTE)* from application opening.

Select the highest scoring option applicable.

Question 8 responses

Responses

Scores
No evidence

0
Attendance at a national or international specialist society meeting/conference 2
Attendance at more than one national or international specialist society meetings/conferences 4

Evidence

  • Proof of attendance for each meeting/conferences.
  • You must provide evidence for LTFT posts, for example, timetable/job plan.
Question 9

At the time of application opening what management and leadership experience/formal training have you had as an undergraduate or postgraduate dentist?

Question 9 responses

Responses

Scores
No evidence

0
Completion of a NHS focussed leadership/management course, for example, Edward Jenner 1
A leadership role, for example, Trust/HEI dentist representative, BDA/Specialist society role, clinical leadership fellow etc. 2
Completion of an NHS focussed leadership/management course and a leadership role 4

Evidence

  • Proof of leadership role validated by senior clinician (i.e. in a non-training grade, for example, a consultant or specialist) or employer.
  • Evidence of course attendance or certificate of completion.
Question 10

At the proposed time of post commencement, how many calendar months (WTE)* will you have spent in total practicing clinical dentistry after qualification?

Question 10 responses

Responses

Scores
0 - 40 months

0
41 - 60 months 4
61+ months 6

Evidence

  • Please provide evidence of completion of training posts.
  • For non-training posts, please provide a copy of the front page of your contract of employment which includes start and end dates.
Question 11

At the proposed time of post commencement, how many specialties will you have clinically practiced for a minimum of 6 calendar months (WTE) each? Please note that OMFS is a medical specialty but will be considered on a par with all GDC registered dental specialities.  

Question 12 responses

Responses

Scores
None 0
1 specialty

2
2 specialties   4
3 specialties  6
4 or more specialties 8

Evidence

  • Please provide evidence of completion of training posts.
  • For non-training posts, please provide a copy of the front page of your contract of employment which includes job title and start and end dates.
Question 12

I confirm that I will provide the evidence to support the answers to this questionnaire in the manner outlined in the written instructions relating to each question.

Question 13 responses

Responses

Scores
No 0
Yes

2

 

Evidence

  • Candidate has only provided specific documentation to support the specific questions asked within the self-assessment questionnaire and has not provided excessive documentation or their full portfolio.

Page last reviewed: 21 September 2023

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