What is an Educational Supervisor?
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, but normally no more than four. Where possible, it is desirable for trainees to have the same educational supervisor for the whole of their training programme or for stages of training (e.g., the early years or more advanced years of training).
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 13
- 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, 2023)
How do I become an Educational Supervisor?
Educational Supervisors in Dental Core and Specialty training programmes are appointed through the Trust. Once appointed, every Educational Supervisor should register with the School of Dentistry using this form: https://forms.office.com/e/EPYSgfHJtX
This allows us to have an accurate list of Educational Supervisor's so that we can ensure effective communications and access to training requirements.
In Dental Foundation training programmes, the appointment programme is more formal, with an application being made annually. Further details on the process are available here.
Will I receive an annual appraisal?
Dental Foundation Training Educational Supervisor's will have an annual appraisal each year with their Training Programme Director. This will normally take place in November/December. Your Training Programme Director will contact you directly to arrange this.
What are the training requirements for an Educational Supervisor?
The Educator Development Framework below details both the mandatory training requirements for all Educational Supervsiors, as well as other optional training opportunities.
We try our best to include a range of courses that apply to all streams of Dentistry and our Educational Supervisors are constantly looking for new courses to further develop their skills. For any suggestions to improve our current Educator Development Framework, please contact england.dentalsupport.yh@nhs.net.
There is a Dental Educator Development Day held in November each year. Further details on the 2025 event are available on Maxcourse.
