Dental foundation training
We want all graduates to have the opportunity to undertake supportive Dental Foundation Training (DFT), for the recruitment process to be fair and equitable, and for Foundation Dentists, Educational Supervisors, and training practice to be paid fairly.
The problem
The UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors (COPDEND) is looking at changes to the recruitment process for DFT. It wants to ensure that the process is equitable and is also focused on ensuring the right distribution of dentists across the country.
Training grants that support practices with the expenses of delivering DFT have been frozen since 2014, leading to significant real terms cuts to this funding.
NHS England is also looking at introducing new 'early years' training programmes that combine DFT and elements of Dental Core Training.
The solution
We share COPDEND's ambition to have a fair and equitable recruitment process and want to ensure that students and graduates are fully consulted on any reforms.
There needs to be a significant uplift in the training grant to make up for an almost decade-long freeze in its value, and it should be uplifted annually in line with the expense uplifts received in General Dental Service contracts.
Our impact
We actively engage with the postgraduate deaneries across the UK. Through our Students Committee and Young Dentists Committee, we ensure that the views of students and graduates are consulted in any changes to DFT.
Our persistent campaigning has meant that there have been sufficient DFT places for UK graduates in all recent years.
We have made a robust case to NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration for an uplift in the training grant and will continue to do so.
Tools and support
[LINK TO STUDENT MANIFESTO]