Review of Competence Progression

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Please find information for Dental Core Training (DCT) review of competence progression, including; dates of meetings, expected submissions, review outcomes, a link to the Dental Gold training guide, and a frequently asked questions section (FAQ)

Review of Competence Progression
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Review of Competence Progression (RCP) guidance for training year 2024 to 2025

A new version of the Reference guide for Postgraduate Dental Core and Specialty Training in the UK was published in September 2023. This document brings together the training grades of Core and Specialty under the same set of requirements and regulatory outline processes for assessment and training. It is more commonly known and referred to as the Dental Gold Guide, September 2023

The information for DCT reviews below is based upon the new guide.  A link to Dental Gold Guide forms can be found at the end of this page. 

Training year 2024 - 2025
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Interim Reviews of Competence Progression

Submission of portfolio of evidence 6th February 2025. 

Panel meetings take place: 

  • West Trainees – Thursday 20th February 2025
  • South East/East Trainees – Friday 21st February 2025

Final review interviews with trainees will take place date TBC

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Annual Reviews of Competence Progression

Submission of portfolio of evidence 10th July 2025. 

Panel meetings take place: 

  • West Trainees – Thursday 24th July 2025
  • South East/East Trainees – Friday 25th July 2025

Final review interviews with trainees will take place date TBC.

RCP – EVIDENCE REQUIRED

The RCP requirements are in the below checklists.  Please note that the checklists must be adhered to when competing your portfolio and a completed copy of the checklist must be uploaded to your portfolio when completed.

YOU MUST UPDATE YOUR PORTFOLIO ACCORDING TO THE RELEVANT CHECKLIST!

Failure to do so will affect your final outcome!

NES will be trialling a Non-Clinical Skills Assessment this year and there will be more information to follow.

RCP Outcome Definitions

Outcome 1  

Predefined competencies being demonstrated at an appropriate rate 

You are progressing as expected and the RCP panel report may highlight particular areas of achievement

Outcome 2  

Development required  - No additional training time required

Awarded at an interim RCP. Specific recommendations will be given regarding the development of further competencies during the remainder of the year. 

The RCP panel outcome report should clearly explain the reasons for this outcome. 

Outcome 3

Inadequate progress – Additional training time may be required

The RCP panel has identified that an additional period of training is required for the trainee to achieve the necessary competencies. 

Extension of training, (a maximum period of 12 months) is at the discretion of the Postgraduate Dental Dean. There is no automatic right to a training extension when awarded an Outcome 3.

Outcome 5 

Incomplete evidence provided

Trainees given an outcome 5 are required to address the missing evidence as soon as feasible. 

Outcome 4 

Released from training programme – with or without specified competences / capabilities

For Dental Core Trainees an outcome 4 is awarded to trainees who wish to leave the formal training programme before completion, decline the offer of Outcome 3 or when the Postgraduate Dental Dean has not recommended further remediation if there is still insufficient and sustained lack of progress.

It is important to understand that exiting this training programme with a final RCP Outcome 4 may impact on your career progression.

If you receive an outcome other than outcome 1, you should contact your educational supervisor to discuss the steps which need to be taken soon after the RCP results are released. 

Frequently Asked Questions
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The RCP process in Scotland has always varied slightly from elsewhere in the UK and the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below explain what the RCP panel in Scotland will expect when they review your portfolio. 

After reading these FAQs, if you have any further queries please submit your questions to the Dental Core training team.  

RCP Panel and Composition

Where can I find the submission and review dates for my RCPs?

The dates for RCP 2024 - 2025 can be found on this Turas page. 

Who will be on the RCP panel?

The panels reviewing your evidence will include Core Training Advisors, the Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean, an external panel member and lay representation.

Will I be required to attend in person?

The portfolio review will be carried out by the panel without trainee involvement.  Following this, you may be invited to meet members of the panel either remotely or in person.  The panel like to meet a variety of trainees with both standard and non-standard outcomes.

RCP Portfolio and content

Should I use the Personal Development and Progress (PDP) template on the General Dental Council (GDC) website?

In Scotland, we have never specified the format of the PDP. As you need one for the GDC, it does make sense to use their template, however you will not be penalised by the panel for using an alternative format.

Do I need to have a Clinical Logbook?

Clinical Logbooks have never been a requirement for dental core training in Scotland, although some trainees choose to keep one. The RCP panel will not be reviewing clinical logbooks. It is of course advisable to keep a logbook of all your clinical activity for your own records, for proof of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and for future job applications. You must ensure that you do not keep patient identifiable data within your records.  

Do I need to produce Patient Assessment Questionnaires (PAQ) evidence?

The patient feedback data capture exercise for 2024/25 will be carried out using MS Forms dates TBC

I am a DCT1. How many multi-source feedback (MSF) rounds should I complete? 

You are required to complete 2 rounds of MSF in the training year. One in the first 6 months of your post in either the Public Dental Service (PDS) or the hospital-based rotation and one from the second part of your training post.

I am a DCT2/ DCT3 /DCT4. When should I complete my MSF by?

You must complete your MSF within the prior to the Interim RCP.

Who can undertake my SLEs?

Supervised learning events should be carried out by your clinical trainers or trainers who are experienced in giving feedback to trainees. It is not appropriate for fellow DCTs to assess you in anything other than your multi-source feedback. 

During your training post, you should aim to be assessed by a number of different assessors and cover different aspects of the curriculum.

Should the assessments be linked to the curriculum?

Yes. Please ensure all SLEs are linked to the curriculum. 

What should I do if I have not yet completed my Quality Improvement (QI) project?

The interim review panel will review your progress towards completing your QI project. If you suspect your progress is not on target discuss this at an early opportunity with your Educational Supervisor or Core training adviser. You are required to demonstrate evidence in your portfolio of a completed QI project by the end of the training year to achieve a successful RCP Outcome

I am in a year-long post.  Is it a requirement for me to have an Educational Supervisor meeting ahead of the Interim RCP?

Yes, all trainees are required to have an “Educational Supervisor End of Placement Report” ahead of both the Interim RCP and the Annual RCP even if you are in a year-long post.

RCP Outcomes and Appeal 

Can I appeal against the outcome?

Yes, the appeals procedure outlined in the Dental Gold guide applies. 

Gold Guide

This guide is to help those who propose to enter training, those in training and those who quality manage and administer training, in order to ensure a consistent approach irrespective of where that training takes place. The guidance in this document is applicable UK wide but there are important national variations in terminology and implementation.

Since June 2012 Health Education England (HEE) has had the responsibility in England of supporting the delivery of excellent healthcare and health improvement to the patients and public of England by ensuring that the workforce of today and tomorrow has the right numbers, skills, values and behaviours, at the right time and in the right place.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) has responsibility for developing and delivering education and training for the healthcare workforce to enable excellence in health and care for the people of Scotland. The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) and Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) have similar roles. 

The Dental Gold Guide contains links to forms that you may need to complete for the purposes of Deanery processes, the links are contained in the relevant sections, e.g under RCP section there is a link to Trainee assessment form

Where the general guidance does not apply to trainees and there is different information specific to DCTs, this is highlighted in boxes with blue text. These appear below or within the general section information.