Undergraduate training as preparation for vocational training in England: a survey of vocational dental practitioners' and their trainers' views

Abstract

Aims: To compare the views of new vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and their trainers regarding how undergraduate dental education has prepared them for their vocational training (VT) in England. This study also aims to identify areas of relative weakness in dental undergraduate education that could influence the future training needs of vocational trainees.

Method: Structured postal questionnaires were completed by VDPs and trainers from five Deaneries in England. The usable response rate was 71% (n = 186 VDPs and 186 trainers).

Results: The vast majority of VDPs and trainers perceived the undergraduate training in history taking, diagnosis and treatment planning for general practice to have been covered 'well' or even 'very well'. Undergraduate training in routine restorative dentistry, oral pathology and paediatric dentistry was also perceived to have been covered well. However, a large proportion of VDPs and trainers reported that they felt that undergraduate training in orthodontics, molar endodontics, surgical endodontics and surgical extraction of teeth had not adequately prepared them for VT.

Conclusions: Newly qualified dentists appear to lack certain competencies recommended by the General Dental Council in The First Five Years. This has implications for dental undergraduate education, but also highlights current training needs during VT.