Self assessment (ST4)

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.

Please note there is a separate self assessment form if you're applying to Orthodontics ST1.

The self assessment questions

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're successful at longlisting, the National Recruitment Office will contact you about uploading evidence on the self assessement 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.

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. We'll provide details of the system, timelines and how to upload your evidence to shortlisted applicants after longlisting has been completed.  

We expect you to upload documentation relating to your score only for each question. You'll be advised of the dates to upload your evidence. Your documents will then be verified against your self assessment score by a panel of clinicians. After verification has been completed, applicants will be provided with feedback detailing any amended scores.

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 ST4 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 using the self assessment portal (which is a different system to Oriel where you make the application). This evidence will be validated by a panel and used to derive your final validated score.  You will be expected to upload evidence after you make an application, timelines will be communicated to you by the lead recruiter for the specialty you have applied for.

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.

If it is discovered that any response is false or misleading, evidence will be collected, and you may be referred to a Probity Panel.

We reserve the right to use anti-plagiarism software.

Formatting your submission

• Please submit a separate PDF file for each of the 10 self assessment questions.
• Applicants should upload only evidence relevant to each question. Clearly include your name and the question number ONLY you are providing evidence for in the file name.
• Provide a cover sheet for each question, detailing the evidence included. The evidence provided must be in the order stated on the cover sheet
• Please do not password protect any of your evidence upon upload
• 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.

*All time periods stated refer to Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) of employment (excluding any periods of statutory leave).  Any periods of statutory leave should be evidenced and uploaded to the relevant questions.  If you have worked less than full time (LTFT) at any period, you will need to provide evidence of the LTFT employment e.g.timetable or job plan for several of the questions.  This evidence can be the same but needs to be uploaded for each question.  Where evidence submitted is not clear, it may be rejected.

A self-assessment topics has been added to the FAQ section on Oriel to assist applicants when filling out certain questions on this form.