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East of England

Dental Core Training Handbook 2025-2026

Dental Core Training Handbook 2025–2026 (East of England) ⇧

 

 

Dental Core Training Handbook 2025–2026

An Introductory Guide to Training within East of England

Welcome message from the Regional Dental Dean
Malcolm Brady
Malcolm Brady
Postgraduate Dental Dean, East of England

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the East of England and to the start of your Dental Core Training career in our region. This is an exciting step in your professional journey, and I am delighted that you will be working with us over the next year.

Core Training offers the chance to broaden your clinical skills, work in new environments, and grow as a confident, reflective practitioner. You will learn from a wide range of colleagues and have the opportunity to contribute to patient care and service development. You will work closely with your clinical and educational supervisors and be supported by your Training Programme Director and Associate Postgraduate Dean.

Our aim is to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge through structured educational programmes, aligned with the national DCT and Early Years curricula. So do make the most of the teaching, feedback, and mentoring available, and be open to the unexpected opportunities that arise. Your enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment will shape not only your own growth, but also the experience of your patients and team.

We are here to support you every step of the way. We have been listening to your feedback and working hard to maximise your training experience while encouraging a supportive environment for your development.

I wish you every success in the year ahead and I would be delighted to hear from you if there are any concerns with your programme.

Good luck,

The DCT Programme – Introduction

This handbook provides introductory information about the programme—how it works and who the key people are that will be working with you. The DCT programme is designed to enhance your clinical, leadership and management competencies, promoting high ethical standards and quality patient care.

The programme is delivered in hospital Trust and community Trust placements, each providing a structured induction and orientation period. You’ll be introduced to Trust policies and protocols and it’s recommended you immerse yourself in the culture of your organisation.

Your employer will provide essential information for a safe and protected start. This is supplemented by textbooks, online resources, and face‑to‑face training in theoretical and practical aspects.

Effective teamwork is essential in hospital attachments, with strong communication skills key. As a DCT, you’re part of a larger team; work collaboratively and communicate openly from the outset, building on skills developed during Dental Foundation training.

What is Dental Core Training (DCT)?

DCT is the period of postgraduate development from the end of Dental Foundation Training (DFT) to the start of specialty training, specialist practice, generalist practice or many other possible career options. It has multiple endpoints and a varied duration from one to three years. There is no statutory or contractual requirement to undertake DCT, but many recent graduates find it an extremely valuable experience that helps clarify career intentions.

DCTs spending this length of time in further training posts will find ample opportunities to demonstrate progress and professional development across a broad spectrum within their personal portfolio. The environment offers a wide range of developmental experiences, ensuring trainees and trainers alike can evidence growth and achievement throughout the post.

The DCT curriculum supports early postgraduate development with a framework of essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours. It guides post‑foundation dental trainees towards various career paths and outlines minimum competencies for each stage and placement type.

Full details are in the Dental Gold Guide: Dental Gold Guide.

Purpose of Dental Core Training

This structured approach matches experiences and responsibilities to your skills and ambitions, supporting growth and confidence. Each placement provides regular supervision and clear feedback to help you develop abilities, respond to clinical challenges, and expand understanding of patient care. Exposure to varied settings and patient groups builds adaptability, resilience, and reflective practice.

Flexibility and Personal Development

Dental Core Training promotes self‑directed growth, helping trainees build advanced clinical skills, confidence, and independence through collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. This equips DCTs for careers in specialisation, generalist roles, or other dental fields.

What DCT will allow trainees to do
  • Clinical Experience: Gain experience beyond DFT; manage referrals; treat complex patients; acquire new skills.
  • Supervision and Support: Work with strong supervision and constructive feedback from multiple supervisors.
  • Multidisciplinary Teamwork: Join and collaborate within large MDTs.
  • Professional Development: Attend lectures and study days; build leadership; prep for exams; present and keep a portfolio.
  • Governance & Quality Improvement: Participate in audit and QI.
  • Career Progression: Identify and develop your career path.
Key contacts in NHSE East of England

Regional

Click an email to copy

Local — Trust Unit Leads

Programme Administrative Arrangements

The programme is locally managed by your Associate Postgraduate Dean / Training Programme Director supported by the NHSE EoE management team. All correspondence is via email; check regularly and keep the team updated with any changes. Send updates to England.Dental.EoE@nhs.net.

If you experience local administrative issues, contact your Educational Supervisor, then your TPD. If further advice is required, it will be shared with the Deputy Dental Dean.

Definition of Key Educational Roles

Clinical Supervisor

Undertakes clinical supervision/training on an ad hoc basis; completes WBPAs and provides feedback on clinical performance.

Named Clinical Supervisor

  • Oversees a specified trainee’s clinical work throughout a placement
  • Provides feedback during the placement
  • Provides a clinical supervisors report contributing to the ES report

Named Educational Supervisor (ES)

  • Overall supervision and management of your learning and progress
  • Establishes and maintains the educational agreement
  • Brings together evidence for summative judgement at end of placement(s)
  • Helps plan training and achieve outcomes; provides career guidance
  • Supports if difficulties arise; liaises with the TPD

Why Regular Meetings Matter

  • Enable early identification of learning needs and progress checks
  • Allow timely adjustments to your PDP and discussion of aspirations/challenges
  • Tip: Be proactive—schedule, prepare, and bring evidence/questions
General Information (Leave, Sickness, Teaching, Portfolio & more)

1. Annual leave

  • Allowance as per contract; arrange leave per local employer policies.
  • Give sufficient notice (typically 6 weeks) to avoid short‑notice cancellations.
  • Spread leave across the year—don’t accumulate for year end.
  • Discuss booking issues with your ES or unit lead.

2. Sickness absence

  • Follow local guidance; seek medical attention for ongoing illness.
  • Notify NHSE EoE for leave of > 2 weeks as it may affect programme completion.
  • Comply with Occupational Health/Trainee Support Service if requested.
  • If missing a study day, inform the TPD and NHSE EoE on the morning (or earlier).

3. Specific learning or health requirements

Inform your TPD or Postgraduate Team of any needs (e.g., dyslexia, visual/hearing impairments) so support can be arranged.

4. Teaching attendance

  • Study day attendance is mandatory (subject to rota). Absence only in exceptional cases—discuss with TPD in advance; unapproved absence may affect FRCP.
  • Avoid booking holidays on study days; inform the Postgraduate Office if release from Trust is an issue.
  • Teaching info is sent to your nhs.net—check regularly. Arrive on time; sign the register.
  • Additional funded study leave may be available; guidance at induction.

5. Portfolio

  • Use the DCT curriculum & Axia unified e‑portfolio; maintain evidence of training.
  • Keep your e‑PDP updated; complete entries promptly (bulk late entries may be declined).
  • Record learning needs with plan/timelines in the e‑PDP.

6. Assessment

Formative: workplace performance over time using multiple inputs. Summative: at defined times, consistent process across NHSE EoE.

  • Initial Appraisal (within first month): learning agreement & SMART PDP.
  • Early Review (~3 months): progress vs PDP & portfolio.
  • IRCP (~6 months, February): panel review of ePortfolio; satisfactory vs insufficient progress.
  • FRCP (~10 months, July): panel review; Certificate of Achievement if standards met.
  • Certificate of Achievement: specifies outcomes met and areas for development/opportunity gaps.

FRCP requirements

  • Minimum of 24 SLEs
  • One clinical governance/quality improvement project
  • Current PDP + progress evidence
  • Study day attendance record & CPD log appropriate for GDC
  • Completed MSF
  • Satisfactory patient feedback
  • Formal ES sign‑off of training period

7. Interview leave

  • Careers advice incorporated into teaching.
  • Max 4 days away from programme for interviews.
  • Monitor NHS Jobs; give sufficient notice to your employer if invited.

8. GDC & Indemnity

  • Maintain GDC registration and indemnity annually.
  • Notify the Postgraduate Dental Dean of any Professional Misconduct or FtP investigations.
  • Inform the Dean of any criminal convictions or police cautions.
Regional study dates & events (Add to Calendar)
  • DCT Regional Induction – Addenbrooke’s
    • Fri, 5 Sep 2025 — Day 1 (lectures only)
    • Fri, 3 Oct 2025 — Day 2 (clinical skills & lecture)
    Existing DCTs remaining in region are not required to attend.
  • Oral Cancer Symposium — Tue, 18 Nov 2025
  • Regional DCT Study Days
    • Thu, 18 Dec 2025
    • Fri, 13 Mar 2026
    • Fri, 8 May 2026
  • QI Symposium (Junior Papers Day) — Fri, 10 Jul 2026
Examinations

Full support will be given to trainees sitting professional examinations. Study leave will be given wherever possible. Study leave is not normally granted for private study and should not be requested.

Trainees may prepare/sit additional qualifications if progress within programme is not adversely affected. Study leave is unlikely for non‑standard qualifications; trainees must maintain programme requirements (teaching attendance, e‑PDP, etc.).

Your role as a learner
  • Arrange and keep regular meetings with your ES.
  • Plan and stage assessments in advance—don’t leave until the end.
  • Keep documentation and e‑portfolio up to date; reflect on reviews and learning.
  • Use available educational opportunities and proactively seek others.
  • Book required courses early and complete evaluations via the Course Management System to receive CPD certificates.
  • Complete required e‑learning in a timely fashion.
Trainee Representative Group & Feedback

You may stand as a DCT1 or DCT2 Trainee Representative, providing support to trainees and attending meetings on DCT developments.

Feedback: Expect detailed feedback from your ES during ongoing review meetings, so you know your progress and what’s needed for next steps.

Career support & Less Than Full Time (LTFT)

Career support

Discuss options with your ES. NHSE EoE also offers a Careers Service (incorporated into teaching). Info: Careers Support.

Less than Full Time Training (LTFT)

Available where appropriate in employing Trusts, by discussion with the Associate Dean and Dean.

  1. Submit application using forms on the deanery website.
  2. Obtain eligibility confirmation from the school via the recruitment manager.
  3. Complete and submit the LTFT Approval Form.

Details & forms (incl. flow chart): LTFT – How to apply.

Study leave allowance & Online induction

Study leave allowance

30 days total (including mandatory study days). NHSE EoE study days/skills courses are auto‑deducted; remaining days are for self‑directed study. Trusts typically need 6 weeks’ notice. Book via the relevant system; queries: England.Dental.EoE@nhs.net.

New DCT1s will receive a copy of “Dentist on the Ward”.

Online induction (e‑LFH) — complete before induction days

E‑Learning & Resources

E‑Learning (pre‑start)

FRCP process guide (medical perspective; process same for DCTs): YouTube: FRCP overview

Resources

E‑Portfolio (Axia) & Top tips

You’ll receive login details for the DCT ePortfolio on the Axia platform (different from the Dental Foundation ePortfolio). Training is provided at induction.

  • Record clinical experience & reflections
  • Repository for WBA/SLEs
  • Track progress vs PDP

The portfolio underpins your ES report, panel assessments, and the Certificate of Achievement (missing evidence is noted).

Top tips

  • Complete at least 3 SLEs per month.
  • Write meaningful reflections (positive and challenging situations).
  • Use the portfolio to showcase growth, adaptability, and commitment.
  • Plan ahead; update regularly rather than at year end.
Concerns & Support

Concerns

Raise concerns appropriately (e.g., patient safety, educational quality). Seek advice from your ES/trainer and use Trust pathways (FTSU Guardian; incident reporting; whistleblowing) as needed. You may also approach the TPD or Associate Postgraduate Dean.

Support

Dentists may face personal/professional challenges impacting training. Support is available for:

  • Sickness/ill‑health (physical, mental, emotional)
  • Personal factors (stress/anxiety, family, bereavement)
  • Environmental issues (workload, bullying/harassment, programme difficulties)
  • Learning difficulties & neurodiversity (dyslexia, ASD, ADHD, etc.)
  • Extended leave (OOP, parental leave), Supported Return to Training

Professional Support & Well‑being (East of England): heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/psw/about-us

Useful links & Note templates

Some links may require Athens login or Trust library access; several PDF books are provided free by BAOMS.

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Wednesday, 20 August, 2025
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