The study day programme consists of a minimum of 15 days (Dental Therapist Foundation Training), over one full year. You will be released from your employment in practice to attend the study days. The programme is designed carefully to help you develop all the necessary skills and knowledge required for successful clinical practice. The study days are held at various locations within the Thames Valley & Wessex region including Oxford, Wexham Park Hospital Slough, Milton Keynes University Hospital, Dental Academy Portsmouth University Hospital. Some days may be held at alternative venues and some will be combined with the Dental Foundation schemes. Most days will begin with a problem-solving opportunity where problems of any nature may be openly discussed with your peers and Dental Therapy Training Programme Lead (TPL).
All attempts are made to tailor the contents of the study days to the trainee’s needs, working with the TPL. The days will be a mixture of conferences, lectures/ presentations, problem-based-learning seminars, workshops and skills lab training. Attendance at all study days is mandatory for successful completion of the programme.
The typical study year consists of:
Three-day induction: Trainees will learn what is needed for a successful Foundation year, understand and review risks in General Dental Practice and will also be given the opportunity to practice their hands-on clinical skills.
Dental Care for Older People: Designed to help Dental Therapists plan and deliver high quality and person centred dental care to meet the oral health needs of an ageing population.
Two Day Education Conference: Topics covered include radiation protection and radiography skills, anaesthesia techniques, use of rubber dams, modern caries management and pulpotomies.
Anterior Composites: A hands-on event designed to help Dental Therapists understand and demonstrate how to remove carious tooth and understand treatment options.
Periodontics in Practice: Designed to help Trainees understand the aetiology of periodontal disease, diagnosis and management.
Medico-Legal Issues: The lecture covers the basic Dental Therapist contract, record keeping, step by step guide to what clinical records should contain.
In addition to the above other areas of learning include, Infection Control, CQC Requirements, Safeguarding, standards in the working practice, direct access and posture, Oral Medicine and Oral Cancer.