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 Gold training guide, and a frequently asked questions section (FAQ)
Review of Competence Progression
Review of Competence Progression (RCP) guidance for training year 2021 to 2022
A new version of the Reference guide for Postgraduate Dental Core and Specialty Training in the UK was published in September 2021. 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 2021.
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 2021 - 2022
Interim Reviews of Competence Progression
Submission of portfolio of evidence 11th February 2022. Panel meetings on 24th and 25th February 2022. Interim review interviews with trainees in 2022 will take place, if required, March 2022.
Reviews of Competence Progression
Submission of portfolio of evidence 15th July 2022, Panel meetings take place:
- West Trainees – Thursday 28th July 2022
- South East/East Trainees – Friday 29th July 2022.
Final review interviews with trainees will take place in August 2022.
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
- DCT1s - 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
- 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
- DCT2/3/4 - 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)
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
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 2021 - 2022 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?
The panel usually likes to meet a variety of trainees with both standard and non-standard outcomes. Reviews at both interim or final RCP stages may take place either online or in person. You will be informed of the review format and its date a minimum of six weeks before the event.
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.
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 recommend that you have a range of different assessment types from different assessors.
Please ensure that your submitted SLEs are linked to the Dental Core Training Curriculum.
Do I need to have a logbook?
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 patient feedback data capture excercise is carried out during a set period in March and April of any given training year. PAQs will be required for the 2021- 2022 training year.
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 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 /DCT4. 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. Please ensure all SLEs are linked to the curriculum.
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.