Dental Therapy Foundation Training in Yorkshire and the Humber
Foundation Training for dental therapists is an excellent opportunity to develop undergraduate skills and become confident in clinical dentistry. As you transition from graduate into the world of work, Dental Therapy Foundation Training gives you the time, encouragement and guidance to succeed in your career as a Dental Care Professional.
Throughout the year you will be supported by the practice team and mentored by experienced clinicians to achieve your goals. Your progress within the scheme will be overseen by the Training Programme Director and your professional development is targeted towards your individual learning needs. The scheme offers employment within an approved, training practice within the Yorkshire and Humber region; 3 days each week.
Taking part in the training scheme provides security throughout your first year in practice. The salary will cover your working days in practice and any study days that fall within your contracted hours. This assured income allows you to manage patients free from financial pressure; meanwhile having flexibility to seek additional work on other available days.
The Dental Therapy Foundation Training scheme aims to equip newly qualified dental therapists with the necessary training and education to build confidence in their clinical skills. The scheme also aims to emphasise the importance of critical thinking and evidence-based practice; whilst promoting successful team working in a general dental practice environment.
The scheme runs for one academic year, September to August, and will typically deliver:
• A minimum of 15 days of formal education mapped to the curriculum (COPDEND DTFT Curriculum, 2015)
• Employment within a supportive primary care setting for 3 days each week
• Tutorials and Case-based discussions periodically throughout the year
• Work-based assessments to provide structured formative training
• Certificate of completion
Aims
- To introduce the dental therapist to general dental practice;
- To encourage the dental therapist to identify personal strengths and areas for further development;
- To enable the dental therapist to practice and improve skills free from undue financial pressure;
- To promote the implementation of peer and self-review; and
- To establish the need for professional education, training and audit as a continuing process.
Objectives
By the end of the training period the dental therapist in training should be able to:
- demonstrate the clinical skills, knowledge and values relevant to the work of dental therapist;
- demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills for the organisation and management of successful practice;
- manage the psychological aspects of patient care;
- work successfully as a member of the practice team;
- make competent and confident professional decisions with an awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses, including the need to refer when appropriate;
- demonstrate that they are working within the relevant guidelines regarding ethics and confidentiality;
- implement regulations and guidelines for the delivery of safe practice;
- know how to draw on the wide range of advice and support available to dental therapists; and
- demonstrate that they understand that continuing professional development should be a life-long commitment.
Satisfactory Completion of Dental Therapy Foundation Training is subject to the trainee completing the following:
- attendance at all designated study days
- completion of the e-portfolio
- participation in a minimum of 20 tutorials within the training practice
- completion of a minimum of 10 ADEPTs (practical observation of clinical procedures)
- completion of a minimum of 6 case-based discussions (CbD)
- completion of a broad range of NHS clinical activities throughout the year
Practice placements:
You will work at an NHS practice that has been approved for training by Health Education England. The practices can be anywhere across the Yorkshire and Humber region and these locations can change each year depending on the applications we receive.
Since 2020, the scheme has been able to offer regular placements in Dewsbury, Rotherham and Sheffield. With each year that passes the scheme becomes more popular and recognised across the region meaning that we are able to offer further placements in Worksop, Huddersfield, Richmond, Moortown and Wakefield.
To date, 2022 has been our most popular year and in many cases we had to turn practices away with an encouragement to reapply next year. For the current cohort our practices include:
- Humanby Gap, North Yorkshire
- Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire
- Bradford, West Yorkshire
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
- Crystal Peaks, South Yorkshire
- Rotherham, South Yorkshire
- Woodhouse, South Yorkshire
The DTFT team in Yorkshire and Humber are also delighted to have our first community dental service joining the training programme this year. The Leeds Community Dental Service is piloting the training scheme and operating out of three placements in the city. We hope that the success of this drives more community dental placements for DTFT in the future.
Working days:
You will be required to work three days a week in your training practice. On these days you should expect to treat patients across your full range of skills outlined in the GDC’s ‘Scope of Practice’ document.
At quieter times you should fully immerse yourself into the practice environment, taking opportunities to learn from the entire dental team.
Your clinical days will be determined and agreed by yourself and the training practice.
This is an employed position, as such the salary is currently* based on the NHS Agenda for Change salary scale band 6.23.
*This salary scale may differ upon/after application.
The study day programme is an essential part of Dental Therapy Foundation Training and therefore holidays must NOT be taken during the study day programme. In exceptional circumstances (e.g. illness or family bereavement) the Associate Postgraduate Dean may approve a variation on this. Such approval is not automatic and will not normally be given retrospectively.
Most study days take place virtually and can take place any day of the week. Where necessary, sessions will be face-to-face and held across various locations in Leeds. Expenses will be reimbursed for public and private travel to study day locations.
A typical study day programme would include further training on medical emergencies; emotional intelligence and building resilience; anterior and posterior composite techniques; ‘Healthy Gums Do Matter’ toolkit; and tooth whitening and clinical photography.
Training Programme Director: Joanne Ward
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Graduate Diploma in Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, 2009
Tel: 07399 785 605
Email: joanne.ward@hee.nhs.uk
As the Training Programme Director (TPD), I will be your key contact within the programme for all matters relating to Dental Therapy Foundation Training (DTFT).
My role is to ensure the delivery of the DTFT curriculum in accordance with the standards set by the General Dental Council.
I have over 15 years experience of working within clinical dentistry and multi-professional education.
I started my career as a trainee dental nurse in 2005 and quickly progressed to qualify as dental hygienist and therapist in 2009. I have worked across many sectors of dentistry such as; NHS and private practice; specialist referral practices and within the salaried service where I worked with vulnerable adults and children with physical, emotional and social additional needs.
I have taught pre-registration dental nurses for a large training corporation and regularly deliver post-graduate education as part of workforce development.
In 2018, I became a teaching fellow in the BSc Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy team at the University of Leeds and shortly after began my role within the DTFT programme as a Training Programme Director.
Those who have completed Foundation Training have found it extremely useful and would recommend it to all newly qualified dental therapists. This scheme will not only offer unrivalled support in your first year after graduation, but provide the flexibility to explore other opportunities within dentistry.
Here’s what our trainees thought of their training:
“Having this experience taught me to not be afraid. The Dental Therapy Foundation Training scheme really built my confidence and reassured me in my own abilities and knowledge/skills I learnt at university.”
Fatema, 2020
“I found the study days really useful and I have learnt so much more from them. I would encourage anyone to do foundation training”
Lydia, 2020
“I would just like to say thank you for accepting me onto the course, it has been a brilliant start to my career, I feel I would have felt very overwhelmed had I gone straight into general practice without the support of the FT Scheme. I have gained confidence, skills, and experience that I doubt I would have achieved had I not been on the FT Scheme, so thank you for the opportunity. I really hope the scheme continues, as I think it is perfect for therapists straight out of university, to not only give them the confidence when starting out, but also to help prevent de-skilling, especially in therapy work.”
Anonymous