Cymraeg
English Length of Training
Dental Core Training (DCT) can extend for up to three years: DCT1, DCT2, DCT3. Wales is unique in that we offer a mixture of fixed 12-month posts and a selection of whole time equivalent rotational posts for the DCT1 year, whereby Trainees have two posts each of 6 months duration. This enables Trainees to gain a wider range of experience within their first year of dental core training. All DCT2 and DCT3 posts are fixed 12-month posts.
Educational Supervisor
Each Dental Core Trainee will be assigned a nominated Educational Supervisor who is responsible for overseeing educational progress, agreeing a personal development plan, undertaking progress reviews, providing regular feedback on progress to the Trainee and for providing evidence and recommendation for completion of training. S/he will encourage the Trainee to regularly complete the DCT e-Portfolio and to use the educational tools provided for support.
A Trainee should make arrangements to meet formally with their Educational Supervisor at the earliest opportunity and normally within the first two weeks of the placement starting. Each Trainee will need to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) as required by the GDC. This PDP should be uploaded onto the AXIA portfolio as required by the curriculum.
There should be regular meetings with your Educational Supervisor and your supervisor will need to complete formal reviews as required by the curriculum, these are to be recorded in the e-portfolio and should include: an initial review (within the first two weeks), an interim review towards the end of the first 6 months (IRCP) and a final review (RCP) in June/July.
You will meet with your Educational Supervisor to discuss expectations and complete the educational agreement. The following areas should be discussed at this first meeting:
- how to get help in a clinical situation
- department / clinic organisation and induction arrangements
- holiday / sickness / study leave policy
- supervision arrangements
- punctuality and team working
- completing the e-portfolio and reflective practice
- structured learning exercises
- dress code
The Educational Supervisor is in the best position to assess the Trainee’s needs. Through the various processes of assessments and appraisals these needs can be identified, discussed, and hopefully addressed. Educational Supervisors will encourage their Trainees to develop their own personal skills and attitudes.
If you are not sure who your Educational Supervisor is, please contact the DCT Manager.
Clinical Supervisor
Trainees will also have multiple clinical supervisors throughout the period of dental core training.
These are the consultants, specialists, specialty registrars, or any other clinical staff that you work with day to day in any of your placements. Clinical supervisors will only be responsible for you during a particular session and are responsible for ensuring that your day-to-day clinical training needs are being met. They should be asked to carry out structured learning exercises and to complete elements of your portfolio as appropriate.
Training Programme Director
Each Dental Core Training Scheme will have a Training Programme Director who is appointed by HEIW and who will be responsible for managing the scheme, arranging educational courses (study days, seminars, hands-on sessions, and audit days) and who will provide on-going support for both Trainees and educational and clinical supervisors.
The Training Programme Director’s main responsibilities are:
- act as organiser of the scheme for Trainees in the area, in liaison with the local tutor/s, Postgraduate Centre staff, Hosting Local Health Boards (LHBs)
- advise on completion and certification of training
- ensure that local records of the scheme are maintained
- attend the day release scheme and facilitate
- ensure that regular feedback occurs between educational supervisor/Trainee/TPD and that your e-Portfolios is maintained
- counsel educational supervisors and Trainees and troubleshoot problems within the scheme / programme
- give career advice