Dental Core Training Review of Competence Progression
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 Silver training guide, and a frequently asked questions section (FAQ)
Review of Competence Progression
Review of Competence Progression (RCP) 2021 guidance
A decision was taken in November 2020 by the UK wide Dental Core Training Advisory Group to reinstate full requirements, as stated in the Dental Silver Guide 2018, for RCP in 2020 - 2021. Recent (January 2021) guidance from HEE for English DCTs has not changed the targets.
Training year 2020 - 2021
Interim Reviews of Competence Progression for all DCTs
Submission of portfolio of evidence 12th February 2021. Panel meeting on 26th February 2021. Interim review interviews with trainees in 2021 will not take place due to Covid considerations.
Reviews of Competence Progression for all DCTs
Submission of portfolio of evidence 16th July 2021,
Panel meeting
- West Trainees – Thursday 29th July 2021
- South East/East Trainees – Friday 30th July 2021.
Final review interviews with trainees 19th August 2021.
RCP Summary of Evidence
By the final submission date for your RCP you should have the following training evidence in your portfolio:
- A PDP with evidence of progress towards the targets over the year
- A minimum of 24 Supervised Learning Events
- SLEs linked to the curriculum
- DCT1 - 2 completed MSF, one from each 6 months in post. For all other DCTs - 1 completed MSF
- A QI project which is completed
Satisfactory patient feedback PAQs(not required in 2021)- A log of the CPD you have completed with reflections
- A completed final Educational Supervisors report
In advance of the Interim review date you should have made progress on the following areas of your portfolio:
- A PDP with evidence of progress towards the outlined targets
- A minimum of 12 Supervised Learning Events
- SLEs should be linked to the curriculum
- DCT1s - 1 completed MSF from first 6 month post
- DCT2/3 - 1 completed MSF within first 6 months
- Progress toward QI project
- A log of the CPD you have completed with reflections
- An initial and interim or final completed Educational Supervisors report for your post. (Those in a 6 month rotating post where their Assigned Educational Supervisior (AES) changes, through a move in Health Board or base-unit, require a final AES report for that 6 month post)
Potential RCP Outcomes
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
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 the outcome.
Outcome 5
Incomplete evidence provided
Trainees given an outcome 5 are required to address the missing evidence as soon as feasible, unless this is directly attributable to Covid disruption.
Outcome 10.1
Progress satisfactory but the acquisition of competencies by the trainee has been delayed by Covid-19 disruption
If an outcome 10.1 is given, one of the descriptions below will be selected.
C3: Redeployment
C4: Prolonged self-isolation
C6: Incomplete evidence due to Covid-19
C12: Other issues related to Covid-1
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
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. dentalcoretraining@nes.scot.nhs.uk
RCP Panel and Composition
Where can I find the submission and review dates for my RCPs?
The dates for RCP 2020 - 2021 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 (final RCP only) and lay representation.
Will I be required to attend in person?
No, the panel usually likes to meet a variety of trainees with both standard and non-standard outcomes. However, the continuing Covid pandemic means that this is not possible for the interim RCP. A decision regarding the final RCP will be made nearer the time.
RCP Portfolio and content
The checklist says I must use the Personal Development and Progress (PDP) template on the General Dental Council (GDC) website, is that the case?
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.
How many Supervised learning events (SLEs) do I need to complete?
The numbers required are outlined in the summary for interim and final RCP review submissions on this Turas page.
We appreciate that many of your roles have not reverted to “normal” and opportunities to undertake clinical dentistry do vary across the country. We are also aware that some of you may recently have been redeployed. We recommend that you have a range of different assessment types from different assessors. If your clinical activity is reduced, you may need to complete more case-based discussions than other assessment types.
Please ensure that your submitted SLEs are linked to the Dental Core Training Curriculum.
The checklist says I need to have a logbook, is that the case?
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 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.
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.
Do I need to produce Patient Assessment Questionnaires (PAQ) evidence?
Those of you who worked in Scotland last year will know that PAQs, captured electronically on tablets, did not occur. This is usually carried out during March/April. We have decided that PAQs will not be required for the 2020- 2021 training year.
What should I do if I have not yet completed my Quality Improvement (QI) project?
You are required to complete a project by the end of the training year, as specified in the Silver Guide 2018. The interim review panel will review your progress towards completing your QI project.
I don't have enough assessments completed for submission yet. What should I do?
You should contact your clinical trainers or Educational Supervisor in the first instance and see whether it is possible to complete more assessments either in person or remotely. If your clinical activity has reduced, you can complete more Case Based Discussions (CBDs) than other assessment types. Remember to aim for a broad spectrum of assessment types by the end of your training year. If you have any difficulties, please contact your Core Training Advisor.
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. When should I complete my MSF by?
You should aim to complete your MSF within the first 6 months of your training.
Should the assessments be linked to the curriculum?
Yes. This was the case before Covid-19 and continues to be the case now.
RCP Outcomes and Appeal
What is an outcome 10?
The outcome 10 was devised for medical and dental trainees in 2019 - 2020 to allow consideration of the effects of Covid on training and will continue to be used in 2020 - 2021 where required. It is hoped that the usual outcome 1, 2 or 5 will be awarded by the panels in the vast majority of cases.
Can I appeal against the outcome?
Yes, the appeals procedure outlined in the Dental Silver guide still applies.
Silver 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.