Key Points
-
Vocational training is a success for both trainers and vocational dental practitioners (VDPs).
-
Trainers are viewed as positive role models by their VDPs and trainers have a high opinion of their VDPs.
-
VDPs could not imagine entering general practice without undertaking vocational training.
-
VDPs enter vocational training as novice dentists; they leave as competent general practitioners.
Abstract
Aim To determine aspects of the 'lived experience' of dental vocational training (VT) for vocational dental practitioners (VDPs) and their trainers.
Design A qualitative study: semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants halfway through VT and once the VT year had been completed.
Participants Two consecutive cohorts of 13 and 22 VDPs and their trainers.
Results The experience of VT for the VDPs and their trainers is presented together with a model of VDP progression through the VT year.
Conclusion VT is a success for VDPs and their trainers. Not one VDP would have wanted to enter general practice without VT. With very few exceptions the trainers considered VDPs capable of independent practice, post VT. Trainers were considered as positive role models by their VDPs. VT facilitates the transition of novice dentists into competent practitioners.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Bartlett D W, Coward P Y, Wilson R, Goodsman D, Darby J . Experience and perceptions of vocational training reported by the 1999 cohort of vocational dental practitioners and their trainers in England and Wales. Br Dent J 2001; 191: 265–270.
Rattan R . Vocational training in general dental practice: a handbook for trainers. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press, 2002.
Grieveson B . Assessment in dental VT... can we do better? Br Dent J 2002; 193 (Suppl) (Sep): 19–22.
Prescott L E, Norcini J J, McKinlay P, Rennie J S . Facing the challenges of competency based assessment in postgraduate dental training. Longitudinal evaluation of performance (LEP). Med Educ 2002; 36: 92–97.
Gibson C J . The assessment of dental vocational training; a personal view. Dent Update 2005; 32: 552–555.
Levine R S . Experience, skill and knowledge gained by newly qualified dentists during their first year of general practice. Br Dent J 1992; 17: 97–102.
D'Cruz L . The first day. Br Dent J 1991; 170: 53–54.
D'Cruz L . The day-release course. Br Dent J 1991; 170: 85.
Lester D . The trainer's story. Br Dent J 1991; 170: 128.
Committee on Vocational Training for England and Wales. The review of vocational training in dentistry for the Chief Dental Officers, England and Wales. London: The Committee on Vocational Training for England and Wales, 2002.
Baldwin P J, Dodd M, Rennie J S . Postgraduate dental education and the new graduate. Br Dent J 1998; 185: 591–594.
Ralph J P, Mercer P E, Bailey H . A comparison of the experiences of newly qualified dentists and vocational dental practitioners during their first year of general dental practice. Br Dent J 2000; 189: 101–106.
Seward M . Dental education in the 21st century. Primary Dent Care 2000; 7: 5–7.
Aspinwall K, Simkins T, Wilkinson J F, McAuley M J . Using success criteria. In Preedy M, Glatter R, Levicic R (eds) Education management: strategy, quality and resources. Buckingham: Open University Press, 1997.
Acknowledgements
The demands in terms of time made on those who participated in this study were considerable. Not one VDP or trainer declined to be interviewed. In fact, each gave very generously and freely of his/her time and made the interviewer (LBC) very welcome. We thank them for their help with this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Refereed Paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cabot, L., Patel, H. Aspects of the dental vocational training experience in the South East of England. Br Dent J 202, E14 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.78
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bdj.2007.78
This article is cited by
-
Post-qualification dental training. Part 2: is there value of training within different clinical settings?
British Dental Journal (2019)
-
Dentistry – a professional contained career in healthcare. A qualitative study of Vocational Dental Practitioners' professional expectations
BMC Oral Health (2007)
-
Dental vocational training: identifying and developing trainer expertise
British Dental Journal (2007)
-
Dental vocational training: some aspects of the selection process in the South East of England
British Dental Journal (2007)
