Pathways for Professional Development
Dentists new to GDS in Scotland
Introduction
This 12-month programme supports dentists new to Scotland's General Dental Services, offering education and peer support on NHS care. It builds on previous mandatory training and uses a blended format of TEAMS webinars and in-person clinical sessions.
The programme may also serve as evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for individuals seeking equivalence listing. However, the determination of whether a dentist's experience meets the criteria for equivalence to the Dental Vocational Training (DVT) programme is made by the Scottish Dental Vocational Training and Equivalence Certification Committee (SDVTECC).
Programme Topics
The programme includes the following but not exclusively the following topics:
| Topics |
| Communication, Consent & Patient Management |
| Complaints handling |
| Law & Ethics / GDC Standards for the Dental Team |
| Management of Dental Caries in Children |
| Oral Medicine |
| Oral Surgery Techniques |
| Periodontal Assessment and Treatment Delivery |
| Professional Development Plans |
| Quality Improvement Project |
| Restorative Dentistry |
| Taking Radiographs in General Practice and Radiographic Interpretation |
| Treatment Planning (Including history taking and assessment) |
Follow the link to the Module Aims and Learning Outcomes Sway to learn more about these topics.
Costs
The programme offers approximately 50 hours of verifiable CPD and requires payment of £500 in full prior to commencement. If you encounter any difficulties with payment, please contact us at nes.pfpd@nhs.scot we may be able to arrange an instalment plan.
Application to participate
If you wish to apply for the next cohort of this programme please follow the link to complete the application form.
FAQs
1. I haven’t completed Mandatory Training - can I apply?
To gain the most from this training programme, it is recommended that you complete Mandatory Training and obtain an NHS General Dental Services position prior to applying.
2. I am returning to work after an extended career break can I undertake this programme?
To gain the most from this training programme, please ensure that you have completed all Mandatory Training requirements and secured a position within NHS General Dental Services prior to applying. Support for returning to work is available via NEST | Turas | Learn
3. I am unable to fund this course in full at present, can I still take part?
Should you have a post in NHS GDS but are unable to fund the full course fee in one instalment please contact us at nes.pfpd@nhs.scot In certain circumstances we may be able to offer payment in instalments.
4. Will completing this programme guarantee me Vocational Training Equivalence?
Completing the CPD and Quality Improvement (QI) project as part of this programme provides relevant evidence for the Equivalence process. However, other components, such as clinical references, are also required for the application. The Scottish Dental Vocational Training and Equivalence Certification Committee (SDVTECC) determines whether a dentist's experience is considered equivalent to a Dental Vocational Training (DVT) program.
5. Do I have to attend all parts of the course?
We understand that exceptional circumstances may prevent you from attending a session. However, we recommend attending all sessions, as recordings are not guaranteed and refunds are not provided for missed sessions.
6. Where and how is the course delivered?
The course uses a blended format, with some sessions delivered via TEAMS webinars and others held in person or in clinical skills settings. Clinical skills sessions are scheduled to take place at the Glasgow Dental Education Centre. Webinars will be organised in the evening where feasible.