Becoming a Mentor/Training Practice

The supervising dentist/trainer must:

  • Be registered with the GDC, without conditions
  • Be compliant with all GDC guidance
  • Have submitted annual returns to the GDC that comply with the minimum continuing professional development (CPD) requirements during the last 5 years (250 hours in total, 75 of which are verifiable)
  • Have an up-to-date Personal Development Plan (PDP)
  • Be fully included on the National Performers List (NPL) for England, without conditions
  • Have a minimum of 4 years post-qualification experience in NHS primary dental care
  • Evidence some managerial experience
  • Demonstrate a commitment to working in the NHS and have a personal annual contract value of a minimum of 1500 UDAs at the time of the employment offer
  • Undertake training as indicated from the Portfolio assessment
  • Not be the subject of any disciplinary hearings or investigations by the Local Area Team (LAT), GDC or NHS Dental Services in relation to self or practice
  • Advice and assistance to the dentist undertaking PLVE and be available in the practice for a minimum of three days per week for the duration of the training period
  • Provide a one tutorial every week and support as needed
  • Ensure the dentist undertaking PLVE is allowed time away from the practice to attend educational activity as indicated in their PDP in order that s/he may complete their portfolio of evidence
  • Satisfy the conditions of the Educational Support Agreement
  • Advise Health Education South West of the dentist undertaking FTA’s progress
  • Set aside protected time for TPD – PLVE visits as required.
  • Normally have been in the practice for a minimum of 2 years

The dentist undertaking PLVE will normally:

  • Work full-time for 12 months treating adults and children under the NHS
  • Be fully occupied and have a personal annual contract value in excess of 1875 UDAs
  • Be able to demonstrate competence in a full range of primary dental care activities
  • Work 35 – 37.5 hours per week at times specified by the practice; contract must specify days and hours of work
  • Be entitled to 5.6 weeks holiday, including Bank Holidays, during the period of 12 months in the practice
  • Work for no more than 8 hours in one day and a maximum of 5 days in any week
  • Work for no more than 4 hours without a break
  • Attend 10 days of Introduction to NHS courses
  • Satisfy the conditions of the Education Support Agreement

The Employer (Practice Owner)/NHS Contract Provider must:

  • Provide a written employment contract with the dentist undertaking PLVE and make this available to Health Education South West
  • Provide a dedicated surgery and nurse for the dentist undertaking PLVE to meet the requirements stipulated by Health Education South West
  • Provide satisfactory facilities, including an adequate supply of hand-pieces and instruments, sufficient to allow them to be sterilised between patients or be disposed of according to Department of Health (DH) guidelines
  • Provide adequate administrative support
  • Ensure the dentist undertaking PLVE is allowed time away from the practice to attend educational activity as indicated in their PDP in order that s/he may complete their portfolio of activity
  • Pay the dentist undertaking PLVE on the date agreed in the contract.

Please note, it is advised that there would normally only be one VED (Validation by Experience Dentist) per mentor.