Paediatric Dentistry

The Paediatric Dentistry Specialist Training course in NHS England working across across Yorkshire and the Humber is the largest in the country and has long been recognised as being one of the most successful. It places equal emphasis on strong academic knowledge and clinical expertise. Training takes place both at the dental hospital and within the consultant led components of the surrounding salaried dental services.

"One of the greatest strengths of the course is in blending significant didactic and academic components, with specialist clinical training. The region has a network of consultants and specialists all committed to the speciality and it is this network that contributes to such a wide range of experiences for our PgDiTs."

Training Programme Directors are Ms Susan Kindelan (North and West Yorkshire) and Joana Monteiro (South)

Curriculum and Training

Entry to Paediatric Dentistry speciality training is now a 4 years training programme. On completion of the 4 years training programme, the Postgraduate Dentist in Traing (PgDiT) will have completed a training portfolio on the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Platform (ISCP), undertaken successful progressive and final Review of Competency Progression (RCP), and passed the Dental Specialty Fellowship in Paediatric Dentistry examination. The individual would then be eligible to apply for entry onto the GDC Specialist List in Paediatric Dentistry.

Didactic teaching is integrated into the established and successful postgraduate programme. The teaching content itself maps closely to the paediatric dentistry specialty training syllabus.

There are a number of PgDiTs within the region completing pre and post CCST training, following the old curriculum of 3 years pre CCST and 2 years post CCST training.

The Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme Website - https://www.iscp.ac.uk/

This site houses the curriculum for the dental specialties and, in a secure area, PgDiT electronic portfolios and the learning agreements which support training.

The Dental Specialty Fellowship exam must be passed to complete specialty training. Further information on the exam is available at: Home - Dental Examinations Executive

Further information on specialty training is available here, including ARCPs, study leave and completion of training is available by clicking this link.

Research

Undertaking formal research projects is expected and encouraged. Leeds Paediatric Dentistry has an extremely strong research profile and a wealth of experience in a wide variety of subjects from which PgDiTs can draw on. It is anticipated that PgDiTs would enrol in a formal academic programme of which research forms a significant component.

The current research degree of choice for PgDiTs is the MSc by research over two years.

About the Programme from a PgDiT Perspective

What are the best opportunities within the training programme?

To work with integrated NHS & academic teams.
To gain teaching experience within both an NHS and university setting, including undergraduate and postgraduate training.
To complete MSc programmes
To be part of a large clinical team with a breadth of experience and varied special interests.
To complete an out of programme placement including leadership fellowships.
To have split site training.

What are the unique experiences gained from working in Yorkshire and the Humber?

Yorkshire and the Humber is a fantastic region within which to complete Paediatric Dentistry training. The region has a well-established and active managed clinical network. It hosts two tertiary referrals centres, which work alongside consultant led community dental services in a Hub and Spoke model. Many PgDiTs have the opportunity to complete a split post with training shared between a tertiary centre and a community dental service. This type of post has the benefit of providing 1:1 training, increased caseload and experience of working in different specialist settings. PgDiTs are exposed to clinical and non-clinical aspects of the curriculum in different training environments. Due to the long running programme, placements are very well organised, easing the transfer between the two different Trusts/environments and ensures that the PgDiT gains the most from all settings.

Testimonials

“The best thing for me about Paediatric Dentistry training in Yorkshire and the Humber is the opportunity to work in both Hospital and Community in a very co-ordinated way. This enables experience to be gained in different environments, with multiple trainers for a really varied group of patients.”

"My pre-CCST training in Sheffield has been excellent all round. The staff and consultants really support you to succeed. I have gained well rounded clinical experience, with dedicated clinics for trauma, medically compromised patients, oral medicine, joint-restorative and treatment of anomalies. The support for my academic work has been second to none from all team-members which has made it possible to complete research successfully alongside my clinical training."

"Specialty Training in Sheffield offers exposure to some of the best education and training experiences Yorkshire has to offer, alongside excellent travel links to London, the North and the South. The programme is supported by world-renowned academics and highly respected Consultants, alongside strong links to other specialties ‘in-house’ such as Dental Public Health, Restorative Dentistry, Orthodontics and Oral Surgery.

Close ties between the Charles Clifford Dental hub and spokes in the Community Dental Service offers PgDiTs the chance to directly provide treatment for those who have difficulty accessing dental services and thus gain experience in treating children and young people with disabilities or additional needs who may not otherwise seek or receive dental care.

Sheffield affords PgDiTs adaptable aspects of their training to further enhance areas of personal interest such as the Cleft Lip and Palate Service in Derby and Nottingham or Oncology Service at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. The programme is focussed and well-managed, with excellent academic and clinical support, allowing all Pre-CCST and Post-CCST PgDiTs needs to be met."

Revised June 2026