Special Care Dentistry ST1

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent dental qualification recognised by the General Dental Council

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. 

Applicants must:

• be eligible for registration with the General Dental Council (GDC) by the time of appointmentⁱⁱ
• registered with GDC by time of post commencementⁱⁱⁱ
• be eligible to work in the UK 
• have the ability to travel to sites as required in order to fulfil the requirements of the whole training Programme

• Is up to date and fit to practise safely.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• References

Applicants must meet the necessary knowledge of English language for dental professionals as outlined by the General Dental Council.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

Applicants must:

• meet professional health requirements (in line with GDC Standards for the dental team)

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Pre-employment health screening

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
• have notified the Training Programme Director of the Specialty Training Programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region^iv
• not have previously relinquished or been released/removed from a specialty training programme, except under exceptional circumstances^v
• not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a Certificate of Completion of Specialty Training (CCST) in the specialty applied for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register in the specialty applied for

When is this evaluated?

• Application form
• Interview/selection centre

^iv The Support for Application to another region form, signed by the Training Programme Director of their current Specialty Training Programme confirming satisfactory progress must be submitted to the recruitment office at time of application.

^v Applications will only be considered if applicants provide a Support for Reapplication to a Specialty Training Programme form, signed by both the Training Programme Director/Head of School and the Postgraduate Dean in the Local Office/Deanery that the training took place.

Extraordinary circumstances may be defined as a demonstrated change in circumstances, which can be shown on the ability to train at that time and may include severe personal illness or family caring responsibility incompatible with continuing to train. Completed forms must be submitted at the time of application. No other evidence will be accepted.

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

When is this evaluated?

• Application form

Essential

Applicants must have:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) or equivalent dental qualification recognised by the General Dental Council

Desirable

• Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS)/Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties (MJDF) or equivalent at the time of application.
• Other qualifications held at time of application.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• 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.
• Have notified the Training Programme Director of the Specialty Training Programme they are currently training in if applying to continue training in the same specialty in another region.
• Not have previously relinquished or been released/removed from a specialty training programme, except under exceptional circumstances.
• Not already hold, nor be eligible to hold, a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) in the specialty applied for and/or must not currently be eligible for the specialist register in the specialty applied for.
• Has evidence of achievement of Foundation competences from a UK Dental Foundation training programme or equivalent.
• Demonstrate the competencies required at the end of a UK Dental Core Training Programme Year 2 by either: 
  • evidence by time of post commencement of satisfactory Review of Competence Progression (RCP) outcome or programme completion/certification of UK DCT2/3 post which commenced on or after August 2016
  • National Certificate of Dental Core Equivalence (NCDCE) at the time of application 
• Has evidence of experience in more than one dental specialty/clinical setting.
• Commitment to the specialty with clear career objectives.
• On an NHS primary care organisation Performance List or able to meet requirements for listing when training involves primary care placement.

Desirable

• On a NHS primary care organisation Performance List or able to meet requirements for listing.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• Demonstrates good patient care skills.
• Capacity to apply sound clinical knowledge and judgement to problems. 
• Ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Demonstrates appropriate technical and clinical competence and evidence of the development of diagnostic skills and clinical judgement.

Desirable

• Has worked clinically for a minimum of 3 months (Whole Time Equivalent (WTE)) working within the scope of practice of a dentist within the previous 2 years, excluding any period of statutory leave.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre
• References

Essential

Research

• Understanding of the principles and relevance of research in evidence-based practice.

Quality improvement

• Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit and clinical governance.
• Evidence of participation in quality improvement/audit/service evaluation. 

Desirable

Research

• Evidence of relevant academic and research achievements. For example, degrees or awards.
• Publications.
• Conference presentations/posters.

Quality improvement

• Evidence of leading at least one quality improvement project.

Teaching

• Evidence of delivering undergraduate or postgraduate teaching, or teaching other Dental Care Professionals.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

Communication skills

• Capacity to communicate effectively and sensitively with others. 
• Able to discuss treatment options with patients in a way they can understand.
• Effective communication with colleagues across the whole dental team.

Problem solving and decision making

• Ability to analyse multiple factors and demonstrate a range of approaches to problem solving. 
• Demonstrates effective judgement and decision-making skills.

Empathy and sensitivity

• Capacity to take in others’ perspectives and treat others with understanding; sees patients as people.
• Demonstrates respect for all.

Managing others and team involvement

• Capacity to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrate leadership, when appropriate.
• Capacity to establish good working relationships with others.

Organisation and planning

• Capacity to monitor time and prioritise various tasks and commitments, balance urgent and important demands, follow instructions.

Vigilance and situational awareness

• Capacity to monitor and anticipate situations that may change rapidly.

Coping with pressure and managing uncertainty

• Demonstrates flexibility, decisiveness, and resilience.
• Understands the impact of emotive and pressured situations on decision making and performance.
• Awareness of own limitations and when to ask for help.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• Takes responsibility for own actions.
• Demonstrates honesty and reliability.
• Demonstrates respect for the rights of all.
• Demonstrates awareness of the ethical principles of care, compassion, dignity, safety, confidentiality, and consent.
• Awareness of importance of being the patients’ advocate, clinical governance, and the responsibilities of an NHS employee.

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre

Essential

• Have evidence of 12 months direct clinical experience of Special Care Dentistry by the advertised post start date. This would include either a Special Care Dentistry rotation within a training role (DCT) or a salaried dental position.
• Ability to travel independently to various clinical sites during training including on domiciliary visits.

Desirable

• Have evidence of attendance at courses or Continued Professional Development (CDP) activities relevant to Special Care Dentistry.
• Postgraduate qualification in Special Care Dentistry.
• Have evidence of experience in the provision of oral health care under conscious sedation techniques.
• Have evidence of experience in the provision of oral health care under general anaesthesia.
• Member of Special Care Dentistry specialist societies .
• Immediate Life Support (ILS) completed in last 12 months at time of application. 

When is this evaluated?

• Application form/self-assessment form
• Interview/selection centre