An educational supervisor is a named trainer who is appointed by the provider to be responsible for the overall supervision and management of a specified trainee’s educational progress during a training placement or series of placements. An educational supervisor may be responsible for several trainees.

Educational supervisors should:

• Be adequately prepared for the role and understand educational theory and practical educational techniques
• Be trained to offer educational supervision and undertake appraisal and feedback
• Undertake training in competence assessment, appropriate for the level of trainee
• Be trained in equality and diversity
• Provide regular appraisal opportunities (a minimum of two per annum)
• Develop a learning agreement and educational objectives with the trainee which is mutually agreed and is the point of reference for future appraisal
• Be responsible for ensuring that trainees maintain and develop their portfolio and participate in the assessment process
• Provide regular feedback to trainees on their progress
• Ensure that reports are completed within the necessary timescales
• Contact the employer and the Postgraduate Dental Dean should the level of performance of a trainee give rise for concern
• Be able to advise the trainee about access to career management
• Be responsible for their educational role to the TPD

A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Dental Core and Specialty Training in the UK (The Dental Gold Guide, 2021)