Patient protection is at the heart of dental education

The Annual Review of Education details the work the GDC has carried out to quality assure education and training programmes for dentists or dental care professionals (DCPs). During the two academic years, the GDC conducted a total of 66 visits. The report identified good practice, areas for development and learning points for both education providers and the GDC. Areas of good practice include a robust approach to professionalism by offering students pre-clinical training and placing a strong emphasis on providing regular training for staff.

The report also outlined that patient protection is at the heart of programmes across the United Kingdom, for example, some programmes carried out roleplay workshops to explore the GDC’s Standards for the Dental Team, with the patients played by actors. 

Some of the areas for development for learning providers include:
•    Receiving and using meaningful feedback from patients to inform student development. 
•    Making sure students are able to provide a service to a sufficient number of patients from a range of age groups and backgrounds that have different treatment needs.