NEST
In line with the NHS Scotland commitment to provide a capable workforce and ensure safe effective patient care, the NEST programme offers robust, quality assured educational support and guidance to help dentists and dental care professionals. This will include mandatory training for dentists new or returning to Scotland as well as assistance to develop a personal development plan, guidance on reflective practice, simulated clinical skills training where appropriate and access to a trained mentor throughout the process.
NEST Support for Dental Registrants
Level 1 - For dentists new to Scotland or have not worked in NHS in Scotland for 12 months - Dental Mandatory Training is a requirement of all dentists new to Scotland, these applicants must complete parts 1 and 2 of the course. Applicants who have not worked in Scotland for more than 12 months but are currently included on a list within another part of the UK will be required to complete part 2 only. All applicants are required to successfully pass the Test of Knowledge assessment.
Level 1A - For dental registrants who are not in work - bespoke training plans for individuals to assist the return to work after a career break e.g. personal development plan, may include signposting to other organisations.
Level 2 - Educational support and development planning for individual registrants or practice teams to address specific educational needs. May include items relating to CPI. Advice on a selection of study days, hands-on training, review of guidelines, case-based discussions, quality improvement methods to meet identified learning needs.
Level 3 - Support for dental registrants early in their careers or new to Scotland (post Mandatory Training), may include mentoring or shadowing. Tailored to individual needs or to supplement registrants' training following specific requests from Health Boards.
Level 4 - Training and mentoring support for individuals and the whole practice team, where performance may have been found to be below accepted levels for the profession. Targeted training, upskilling and refresher training for experienced dental registrants who require additional support.
Please note that charges apply, see below for more details.
NEST Level 1
Level 1 Dental Mandatory training (dentists new or returning to Scotland)
The NHS (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016, which came into effect on 1st April 2016,(Updated 26th October 2017) have introduced a requirement to complete mandatory training for those applying to join the dental list in Scotland for the first time and those who have had a period of absence from a list of twelve months or more.
Dentists who are currently included on an equivalent list in England, Wales or Northern Ireland who apply to join a dental list in Scotland either as a contractor or assistant require to satisfactorily complete Part 2 of mandatory training only and the Test of Knowledge. All other candidates will have to complete Part 1 & 2 and Test of Knowledge.
For further information please go to mandatory training where you will find details and how to book on the course.
NES Level 1A
Level 1A Not in work
Training is available in Scotland to assist dental registrants who have been out of clinical practice for an extended period of time, to prepare for their return.
The training, which is individually needs assessed, provides an excellent opportunity to renew professional skills and update CPD in a supportive environment. For further information on returning to work please complete the application form below and send to NEST@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
NEST Level 2
Level 2 Educational support
Educational support is available for personal and practice development planning to address specific educational needs. This may include items identified in the CPI.
For advice on a selection of study days such as hands-on training, review of guidelines, case-based discussions and quality improvement methods to meet identified learning needs.
To apply for support please complete the attached application form and return to NEST@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
NEST Level 3
Level 3 Enhanced support
Enhanced support for dental registrants early in their careers or new to Scotland (post Mandatory Training) or possible referral from a Health Board. May include mentoring or shadowing, tailored to individual needs (see GDC repatriation programme).
The NEST progamme is not funded by the NHS and therefore the costs of NEST support must be met by the registrant and must be paid in full in advance according to estimates that will be provided. However, NES will provide a time-limited initial meeting with the NEST adviser, free of charge.
To apply for support please complete the application form below and return to NEST@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
NEST Level 4
Level 4 Training programmes
Training programmes designed to support dental registrants and whole practice teams where performance may have been found to be below accepted levels for the profession.
Where required experienced mentors will provide 1:1 support to assist with producing and working through PDPs and action plans. Support is available for targeted training, upskilling and refresher training for experienced dental registrants who require additional support.
The NEST progamme is not funded by the NHS and therefore the costs of NEST support must be met by the registrant and must be paid in full in advance according to estimates that will be provided. However, NES will provide a time-limited initial meeting with the NEST adviser, free of charge. See below for more details.
To apply for support please complete the attached application form and return to NEST@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
Personal development plan (PDP)
Personal Development Plan
A Personal Development Plan is a structured document, created by an individual to allow them to reflect upon their own learning, clinical performance and any difficulties they may be aware of, and to help them plan for their personal, educational and career development.
Download a copy of a PDP template
Quick Guide to developing a PDP
- Reflect on the areas you wish to develop. These may be areas where you have had indicated you are underperforming or feel you could do with some additional continuing professional development;
- State these goals specifically (i.e. what you need to achieve). List as main areas to be addressed, e.g. Periodontal Management;
- Break these down into specific educational needs, e.g. review BPE;
- Outline precisely the objectives you wish to achieve, e.g. demonstrate that you can record BPE correctly. Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate treatment of BPE scores 3 & 4;
- Select update method e.g study day, guidelines, hands on training, shadowing;
- State how you will measure learning and evidence it, e.g. reflective account, audit, formal assessment;
- Determine a time frame to complete this goal.
Other support
Where there is health or behavioural concerns, NEST can provide details of how to seek the help and advice of an occupational health and/or an occupational psychologist. Please note, charges for these services will have to be paid directly by the registrant.
The NEST programme has a pool of trained mentors available throughout Scotland who assist the NEST team in providing mentoring and support to those undertaking remediation.
The mentors will assist with the PDP outcomes which have been agreed in advance. Mentors or workplace supervisors appointed by the GDC or Medico-Legal Defence Organisations do not form part of the NES NEST process.
Charges
NEST is a self funded programme therefore we are required to charge for this service.
Please see list of charges NEST charges
FAQs
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q. How quickly can I expect support?
A. Once your application has been received, the NEST programme panel agree which level of support is to be offered.
Occasionally, an application may be unsuccessful, reasons for this will be stated in the response.
Q. Is my application confidential?
A. Yes, all applications for support will be reviewed by the NEST team. After your initial meeting with our NEST Adviser and after seeking input from other organisations where appropriate, before a decision on acceptance can be given.
During the remediation process, if the NEST Team become aware of serious breaches of conduct or a risk to patient safety, then they will be obliged to report this to the appropriate authorities or regulatory bodies.
Q. How much will this cost me?
A. Initial cost estimate will be provided to the registrant
The NEST programme is not funded by the NHS and therefore the costs of NEST support must be met by the registrant and must be paid in full in advance according to estimates that will be provided. However, NES will provide a time-limited initial meeting with the NEST Adviser, free of charge. NEST charges
Q. What if I have health issues?
A. Where there is health or behavioural concerns, NEST can provide details of how to seek the help and advice of an occupational health and/or an occupational psychologist. Please note, charges for these services will have to be paid directly by the registrant.
Q. Who will be mentoring me?
A. The NEST programme has a pool of trained mentors available throughout Scotland who assist the NEST team in providing mentoring and support.
The mentors will assist with the PDP outcomes which have been agreed in advance. Please note: mentors or workplace supervisors appointed by the GDC or Medico-Legal Defence Organisations do not form part of the NES NEST process.
Contact us
Email: NEST@nes.scot.nhs.uk