South West Deanery Foundation Training Course for Dental Therapists
Dental Foundation Therapist Programme
Dental Foundation Therapist Programme
Please see the below pages for information & how to apply on the Dental Therapy Foundation Trainee Applications and Dental Therapy Foundation Trainer Educational Supervisor Applications 2024/2025 scheme.
Dental Therapy Foundation Trainee Applications
How do I apply?
Application opening date 1st March 2024.
The application should be fully completed and submitted.
The deadline for applications is 28th March 2024.
Applications forms not fully completed will not be accepted and will not enter the shortlisting process.
How do I get appointed?
Application will be via an application form.
Successful applicants in the South-West will be informed in June 2024.
Recruitment to training practices will be by mutual agreement between the ES and Applicant.
Successful applicants will be informed of the specific training practices undertaking Dental Therapy foundation training in the South-West. The locations are decided depending on your base to try and match them as closely as possible.
You will have until 24th June 2024 to confirm your acceptance of an offer from individual practices. Practices will notify the deanery of the successful applicants on this date.
You must formally accept the offer made to you by e-mail. Please do not accept them post unless you’re entirely sure as it can stop another candidate being successful and will be too late to fill that position.
The three working days will be by arrangement between yourself and the practice and would form part of your decision to work at a particular practice.
Guidance Document
If you have any queries please contact Benjamin Hewett, the Education Programme Officer.
Not looking for a placement in the South-West of England? Please see below for contact details and the links of other regions of England. Each region has a slightly different format and requirements.
Dental Therapy Foundation Training Schemes
Region Programme Director/Manager QR code to Region website
North West
Tracy Thompson
tracy.thompson31@nhs.net
North East & North Cumbria
Liam Ferguson
liam.ferguson@nhs.net
Yorkshire & the Humber
Joanne Ward
joanne.ward37@nhs.net
Midlands
Jodie Mahoney
jodie.mahoney@nhs.net
East of England
Jyoti Sumel
jyoti.sumel@nhs.net
London & KSS
Saarah Chaudry
saarah.chaudry1@nhs.net
Thames Valley & Wessex
Kira Stearns
kira.stearns1@nhs.net
‘Dental Foundation Therapist Programme’
The South-West Deanery run a Dental Foundation Therapist Scheme from September until the end of August. The scheme is designed for Dental Therapists who are newly qualified from this year, or last year. The posts are based within the South-West of England, and are salaried for three days per week.
NHS England South-West are keen to expand our training dental practices located across the region of the UK. The South-West Deanary covers the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Dorset. We want to offer a range of areas of practice placements within our region, that we may be able to offer you.
The lifestyle choice of the South-West is something that once you get a taster of, you may never want to leave. The South-West is great for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and embracing new activities such as on foot whether it be on the South-West coastal path or exploring the Moors. You could try activities such as wild swimming, paddleboarding, or even bodyboarding and surfing, If you prefer more of a city vibe, being based in Bristol or Bath are a great choice with excellent train links.
There is a Dental Therapy Foundation Training Programme Manager who oversee the Foundation Dental Therapists. An organised study day programme has been developed which include blended learning alongside the Foundation Dentist Training Schemes over the South-West to promote networking and positive professional integration for the careers of the future dental team. There are at least 12 paid study days per year held at approved education centres across the region which are booked via NHSE - South West Postgraduate Dental Education. These study days include a quality range of workshops and lectures, including hands-on sessions in phantom head suites. There are quality guest speakers in specialist subject areas relevant to the scope of practice of dental therapy and touching on some out of scope practice to ensure utilisation and appropriate referrals to team members.
On the non-study days, the foundation dental therapist will carry out patient care at an NHS dental practice under the supervision and support of an Educational Supervisor (ES). Our ESs are experienced Dentists who have a drive and enthusiasm for teaching and guiding newly qualified dental professionals into the world of general practice. ESs mentor with a focus around developing clinical experience alongside the completion of an NHS England e-Portfolio. Treating patients at the practice placements will enable the Foundation Dental Therapist to gain a range of experience within their scope of practice under high-quality support. The Foundation Dental Therapist will be allowed to undertake other jobs on the other two days a week either at the same practice or another practice if they wish to enable life and work flexibility.
The current payments for involvement in the scheme are:
Foundation Therapists’ salary paid at £21,235.20 for the three days via the dental practices.
Travel pay and subsistence for study days available.
During the Foundation Dental Therapy programme applicants will be required to complete the following to complete the programme:
• Clinical evidence of working within full scope of practice.
• 22 Tutorials approximately, one every 2 weeks.
• 2 DOPS that form part of the Early-Stage Review.
• 12 ADEPTS including 1 TPD Buddy ADEPT.
• 6 Case Based Discussions.
• 12 Reflective logs.
• 1 Case presentation.
• 1 Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire.
• 1 Multisource Feedback.
• 2 Cycle Clinical Audit.
• Participation in at least 12 study days [This will be a paid working day].
• Participation in the Community Engagement Projects.
• Timely completion of tasks in the e-Portfolio.
• e-Learning: e-Dent courses.
• IRCP and FRCP.
Planning on revisiting skills or upskilling as a dental therapist in the South West?
For Dental Therapists looking to revisit and refresh their dentistry skills whether it is due to the increased Scope of Practice since qualifying, extended leave such as maternity or sick, or not gaining enough experience or exposure of treatments post qualification, please do sign up to NHSE - South West Postgraduate Dental Education under the title Dental Therapist to receive email updates. Here, you will have access to courses put on by the South West England Dental Deanery for high-quality, reasonably priced topics within your Scope of Practice.
If you are also interested, as a Dental Therapist, carrying out:
• Adult examinations.
• Child examinations.
• The NHS rule and regulations.
• Course of treatments.
Please also look at the following link:
Dental Therapist & Hygienist NHS Update