Abstract
A new future opens for the dental profession – historic launch of the College of General Dentistry
L–R: Ian Mills, Immediate Past Dean, FGDP(UK); Janet Clarke MBE, Chair of Trustees of the College; Abhi Pal, President; Prof Nairn Wilson CBE, Honorary Founding President; Simon Thornton-Wood, Lead (now Chief) Executive.
The first of July, 2021, marked a momentous day in the histor y of dentistr y in the UK as the College of General Dentistr y officially opened in a ceremony at the Barber-Surgeons’ Hall in london. Dentistr y now has its own, independent College. The new College of General Dentistr y embraces the whole dental team, recognising the invaluable contribution made by ever y member of the dental profession in delivering high quality oral health care for patients and the wider community.
Taking office as the first elected President of the College, Dr Abhi Pal said of the historic day:
“Engagement in the College…has the potential to positively transform the standing and status of every member of the team.”
“The College of General Dentistry looks forward to providing new leadership, much-needed career pathways, fit-for-purpose standards and cutting edge, evidence-based guidelines with much more besides. Going forward, we intend to build on the fabulous legacy provided by the FGDP and to further raise the standing and status of dentistry… The move to an independent college for dentistry finally realises the long-held ambition of those who founded the FGDP in 1992. It was their foresight, hard work and commitment to general dental practice which developed the Faculty, driven by the vision that one day dentistry would have a Royal College. The new independent College is not quite at the stage of applying for a Royal Charter, but the move to an independent College of General Dentistry is a giant step closer to that ambition. The College will set standards and provide guidance, encouraging and recognising continuing professional development. And importantly, it will provide a unified collegiate voice for all oral healthcare professionals.”
Nairn Wilson, Honorary Founding President, added:
“Today’s milestone is reached thanks to thousands of hours of volunteer time, support from many individuals and organisations, generous donations and unswerving perseverance and determination; we can now officially open the doors of The College of General Dentistry. The formation of the College is so important because, at long last, dentistry will no longer be the exception amongst key healthcare professions in not having its own college, with all the associated benefits. Engagement in the College, both individually and collectively, has the potential to positively transform the standing and status of every member of the team, both in general and in the eyes of the public. With a membership open to all General Dental Council (GDC) registrants (past and present), together with suitably qualified colleagues from across the rest of the world, the College is for all members of the dental team to benefit and contribute to a new, rewarding future for dentistry. Our members will be able to access a rich library of online CPD, courtesy of our partners ProDental. They will also be able to access a programme of webinars through the year tailored for the College’s membership.”
College of General Dentistry makes commitment to building careers for all dental professionals
The College of General Dentistry, in partnership with Colgate-Palmolive UK, has announced an important programme to build career pathways for all those working in a professional capacity in primary dental care and general dentistry, which will be rolled out in the coming months.
The Career Pathways initiative will bring together all roles in the dental team to create life-long career structures: to enhance professional standing and to engage the confidence of patients in the skills and care they receive.
At a time when there has never been a greater need to retain and nurture a motivated workforce in dentistry, this programme aims to provide purpose and direction for careers across the whole team. It is an initiative developed for the dental professions, by the dental professions, but has attracted much wider attention at a time of special concern about oral healthcare across the UK and access to services.
The College has structured its membership to reflect important career stages for each and every member of the dental team. Membership is open to all registered dental professionals, and Faculties of the College will be established to support each team member with their own career development and aspirations.
“We are excited to be bringing forward new and accessible ways to develop skills and enhance the team.”
The Career Pathways programme is led by Janet Clarke MBE FCGDent, the College’s Chair of Trustees, and Abhi Pal FCGDent, President, together with Roshni Karia MCGDent, Vice President, and Simon Thornton-Wood PhD, Chief Executive.
An authoritative group of dental professionals has been brought together for the programme, in working groups led by Debbie Reed (Dental Nursing and orthodontic Therapy), Emma Pacey (Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy), Michael Brindle and Darren Ware (Dental Technology and Clinical Dental Technology), and Philip Dawson (Dental Practitioners).
Further details can be found at
Janet Clarke said:
“The College of General Dentistry is now open, welcoming all members of the dental team. Our driving passion is to enhance the careers of dental professionals in the patient interest: there is an acute need for direction and support in primary care and general dentistry careers today. Together with Colgate, we are excited to be bringing forward new and accessible ways to develop skills and enhance the team, over the coming months.”
Dr Emanuele Cotroneo, Scientific Affairs Project Manager for Colgate in Northern Europe, said:
“Colgate is most proud of this exclusive partnership with the newly launched College of General Dentistry, which enables the development of the College Career Pathways. This important partnership further supports Colgate’s continuing mission in becoming a valuable partner in dental education and professional development. The Career Pathways will provide a structured guide for dental professionals to pursue their clinical interests as well as enhancing their skills.”
Dr Heather Mitchell, Dentist and Health Education England Clinical Fellow engaged in the programme, said:
“The College’s commitment to prioritise a patient-centred approach to oral health care, as well as provide a much-needed structure for skills and career development, will ser ve to improve professionalism in dentistr y. In turn, this will strengthen patient trust in their oral healthcare, benefitting the oral health of the nation. I feel proud of what we have managed to achieve and am looking for ward to sharing it more widely.”
Andrea Johnson, Dental Technician and a member of the Career Pathways Programme Reference Group, said:
“I am very excited to work with the College and with like-minded professionals from across dentistry to help define the dental college of the future that we all want and most definitely need. I strongly urge all members of the team in oral healthcare to join the College and be proud to be part of something amazing.”
FGDP standards and guidance now available at cgdent.uk
The standards and guidance documents previously published by the Faculty of General Dental Practice are now available on the website of the College of General Dentistry, the first independent college and only professional membership body in the UK specifically for primary care dentistry.
The FGDP recently transferred from the Royal College of Surgeons of England into CGDent, and the new College has assumed the Faculty’s function to develop and maintain evidence-based guidance and standards for the general dental professions.
Titles now available from the College include:
These publications join the College’s CoVID-19 guidance documents, which were developed with the FGDP last year:
Digital copies are available free of charge at
A programme of webinars exploring each of the publications, and how they can be put into practice, will begin soon. Co-hosted by the College of General Dentistry and ProDental, the UK’s largest independent provider of online dental CPD, many of the events will be free for all dental professionals to watch live, with access to the recordings and CPD certification also free for CGDent members.
Events to discuss Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry, Standards in Dentistry and Clinical Examination & Record-Keeping are expected between November and December 2021, with Dementia-Friendly Dentistry, Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment, Training Standards in Implant Dentistry and An Introduction to Research for Primary Dental Care Clinicians among those anticipated next year.
To keep informed about these events as dates and times are confirmed, sign up to the monthly CGDent newsletter at
Introducing your College Council
Members of the CGDent Council attending the first Council meeting in person; a number attended by videoconference in light of COVID-19 related circumstances. L–R: Kanwar Ratra; John Stanfield; Andrew Parashchak; Roshni Karia; Yann Maidment; Simon Thornton-Wood (standing); Abhi Pal (sitting); Helen Kaney; Patricia Thomson; Bill Sharpling. Photograph by John Carr.
The Council of the College of General Dentistry convened for the first time on Friday, 23 July 2021. It is elected by the membership, is the senior professional forum of the College, and guides Trustees on the development of the College to serve patients and the dental professions across general dentistry.
Elected dentist members transferred from the FGDP board and will serve the reminder of their current terms of office on the Council. New members have been added to expand representation across the dental team; these are one-year appointments with the posts open to election among the College membership in 2022.
Abhi Pal FCGDent is the first elected President of the College of General Dentistry, and was the eleventh and final Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK). Dr Pal qualified in 1987 with honours and distinction from Guy’s Hospital, london, and has worked in general dental practice ever since, joining The University Dental and Implant Centre, a mixed NHS and private practice in Edgbaston of which he is Principal, in 1991. Editor of FGDP’s Training Standards in Implant Dentistry, he was elected to represent the West Midlands region on the National Faculty Board in 2014, and re-elected in 2017 and 2020. In 2019 he was Guest Editor of the themed issue of the Primary Dental Journal on dento-legal matters.
Roshni Karia MCGDent qualified from King’s College london in 2010, and works in Surrey as an associate dentist in general dental practice. After developing a special interest in periodontics, she completed an enhanced two-year postgraduate study programme and is now also a clinical tutor in periodontology at King’s. After joining the FGDP in 2012, she was elected as a full member of the board in 2017, later served as Vice Dean, and was re-elected in 2020. Currently a Member of the CGDent’s Careers and Training Committee and the College’s representative on Public Health England’s Children’s oral Health Improvement Board, she was previously Chair of the FGDP Education and Qualifications Committee and Membership Affairs Committee.
Tashfeen Kholasi MCGDent is an associate dentist and Chief Clinical Information officer in general dental practice, as well as a Clinical Tutor in Special Care and Sedation at King’s College London, from where she qualified, and a health informatics clinical lead at NHS Digital. With a strong interest in digital health, she is a Fellow of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics. She has a Diploma in Conscious Sedation and a Master’s in legal Aspects of Medical Practice, and is currently completing a Master’s in Healthcare leadership and Commissioning. Tashfeen was elected to the FGDP’s board in 2020 and is the CGDent’s Vice President of the Membership Affairs and Professional Affairs Committees, and Vice President of the Membership Admissions Panel.
Louise Belfield AssocFCGDent is a dental nurse, research scientist, lecturer, Health Education England Dental Clinical Fellow, and National Examination Board for Dental Nurses Trustee. Louise trained as a dental nurse in Devon, qualifying in 2001. She has worked across a range of dental specialties at Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust including community, special care, and emergency dentistry, and general dental practices. Louise holds a BSc (Hons) in Human Biosciences, a doctorate in immunology, and a post-graduate certificate in clinical education. She was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy in 2019 in recognition of her continued contributions to dental education. At CGDent, Louise is a Member of the Professional Affairs Committee and of the Membership Admissions Panel.
A general dental practitioner in Batley, Matthew Collins FCGDent has a particular clinical interest in dental rehabilitations for patients with worn and missing teeth, and has undertaken extensive postgraduate training in composite techniques, aesthetic dentistry and dental implantology. He graduated from leeds University in 1998 and holds both a Master’s degree in Clinical Dentistry from the University of london and the Diploma in Implant Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. A member of the Association of Dental Implantology, and Chair of Calderdale and Kirklees local Dental Committee, he is also a Member of the CGDent’s Regional Funding Panel.
Onkar Dhanoya FCGDent has been Principal Dentist at Honour Health, a mixed NHS-and-private dental group, since 1986, providing treatments including dental implants, facial aesthetics and orthodontics at its three practices across the North East of England. He graduated from Newcastle University in 1985, is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and a past Vice Dean of the FGDP. Chair of North Tyne lDC, and past President of the BDA’s Northern Counties branch, he has been a clinical teacher at Newcastle Dental Hospital since 1995. He chairs the College’s Professional Affairs Committee, is a Member of the Membership Admissions Panel, and chaired the working group which developed the guidance, Implications of COVID-19 for the safe management of general dental practice.
Jonathan Farmer MCGDent has been re-elected to represent Trent & East Anglia, and is Chair of the CGDent’s Membership Admissions Panel. Working mainly in general dental practice since 1988, he currently practises in lincoln, has a special interest in endodontics, and has worked for the salaried dental service. He is a Programme Director for Dental Foundation Training at Health Education England (East Midlands), Dental Practice Advisor for the Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire/North Midlands Area Team, and has previously been a clinical supervisor at leeds and Sheffield Dental Schools.
Quentin Jones AssocFCGDent chairs the CGDent Careers and Training Committee, having previously served as Vice Chair of FGDP External Affairs. Qualifying from Cardiff in 1986 he took up a research position followed by hospital and community posts, gaining DGDPRCS and MPhil (prosthodontics). In 1993 he became principal of his own practice in Swansea, a VT trainer, lecturer on Cardiff’s postgraduate implant course and editorial board member of an international journal. Elected to BSSPD and EPA, he has taught undergraduate prosthodontics and clinical skills at Cardiff Dental school and has served as Clinical Consultant to Renishaw Plc. Quentin has practised in Europe and the Middle East and is currently Chair of Y Gymdeithas Ddeintyddol – The Dental Society of Wales.
Helen Kaney FCGDent, Head of Dental Services in Scotland for Dental Protection, and a dually qualified dentist and solicitor, was elected to one of two national seats. Helen is Vice-Chair of the CGDent’s Professional Affairs Committee. As well as practising general dentistry for many years, she has worked as a clinical assistant in restorative dentistry, a Senior Dento-legal Adviser and a solicitor acting for dentists and doctors. A Fellow of both the CGDent and the Faculty of Forensic & legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians, she holds an MBA and is a founding member of the Dental law and Ethics Forum.
A prosthodontist and implant dentist in Kerala, India, Eldo Koshy FCGDent was elected to represent the College’s many overseas members, succeeding Pankaj Patel. Previously Vice-Principal and Head of the Department of Prosthodontics and Implantology at KMCT Dental College, Kozhikode, he has lectured and delivered training across India, Sri lanka and the United Arab Emirates, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
Yann Maidment MCGDent qualified from Edinburgh Dental School in 1984, becoming a partner in his Edinburgh-based dental practice – alongside his wife – in 1987, and then associate in 2019. In 2002, he was awarded a DDS for his research comparing the effectiveness of different modes of CPD. He has held research assistant posts at the University of Edinburgh, served on BDA committees for 11 years and lectured on Acupuncture in Dentistry. He was President of the Royal odonto-Chirurgical Society of Scotland between 2015 and 2016, the year he was first elected to represent the East of Scotland on the FGDP board. Now a CGDent Council Member, he is the College lead on Research and a Member of the Professional Affairs Committee.
Director of Clinical Dentistry at Plymouth University’s Peninsula Dental School and Co-Editor of Standards in Dentistry, Ewen McColl MCGDent currently represents the South West of England and is a Member of the College’s Careers and Training Committee. After qualifying from the University of Edinburgh in 1993, Ewen worked in maxillofacial surgery posts before spending 17 years as a general dental practitioner in the British Army. With postgraduate diplomas in conscious sedation (King’s College london) and in medical education (University of Dundee), he holds the FDS(Rest. Dent.) of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and is a Fellow of both the Faculty of Dental Trainers (RCS Ed.) and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.
Susan Nelson MCGDent is lead dentist in private practice in Holywood, County Down, specialising in implant dentistry. Graduating with Honours in 1993 from the University of Edinburgh, where she won the McGregor Gold Medal for the most distinguished dental graduate, she completed Vocational Training in Fife before joining the practice as an associate in 1994. She joined FGDP(UK) in 1998, and later served as Director of the Faculty’s Northern Ireland division and Vice Dean of the Faculty. She is Vice-Chair of the CGDent’s Careers and Training Committee and a Member of the Regional Funding Panel. She is also Deputy Chair of the Northern Ireland branch of the BDA, and will take on the role of Regional Clinical lead for Portman Healthcare later this year.
Andrew Parashchak MCGDent completed a BSc in Biomedical Sciences and an MSc in Immunology and Immunogenetics before studying for his BDS at Peninsula Dental School, from where he graduated in 2012. After working as a general dental practitioner within the NHS, he moved into private practice in 2014, and recently bought his own practice in Rochdale, while working part-time as an associate in Wigan. He completed the FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry in 2017 with a view to progressing to an MSc. As a Council member for CGDent, he is Vice-Chair of the Membership Affairs Committee.
Kanwar Singh Ratra MCGDent, qualified from liverpool Dental School in 1999 and is Principal Dental Surgeon at lansdowne House Dental Practice in Bromsgrove and at Bilston Dental Practice, where he enjoys guiding nervous dental patients through their treatment journey. With a strong interest in dental education, he was a clinical lecturer at Birmingham Dental Hospital from 2003 to 2012, and in 2015 was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from the University of Birmingham. He joined FGDP(UK) as a full member in 2004, and served as President of the Central Counties Branch of the British Dental Association from 2015 to 2017. He is also a director and founder of an innovative medical devices company, Sentra Medical limited.
Bill Sharpling is Associate Dean (CPD) and Director of the london Dental Education Centre (lonDEC) at the Faculty of Dentistry, oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College london. Previously, he was Head of Dental Technology at Guy’s, King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospitals. He is the External Examiner for the BSc(Hons) Clinical Dental Technology programme at the University of Central lancashire. After qualifying in 1986, Bill spent the next 10 years working as a Dental Technician, gaining advanced qualifications in fixed and removable prosthodontics. Bill has worked in commercial dental laboratories, the Armed Forces and as the Chief Instructor in Conservative Dental Technology at Guy’s Hospital Dental School. He is a Member of the CGDent’s Careers and Training Committee.
Specialist oral surgeon, Sami Stagnell MCGDent graduated from King’s College london Dental Institute in 2009 and currently runs a specialist referrals practice in Bournemouth supporting both NHS and private patients. Following specialty training he was awarded one of the first UK posts as a Fellow in Clinical leadership and Management with Health Education England. In 2015 he was awarded a merit in his MSc in Aesthetic Dentistry (KCl) and in 2018 he achieved an MSc in Skin Ageing and Aesthetic Medicine (University of Manchester). He is completing an MSc in implantology with the University of Madrid. He is an active member of many societies and represents the profession with the BDA, CGDent and the Royal Society of Medicine. Sami is Chair of CGDent’s Membership Affairs Committee.
John Stanfield has over 40 years of experience as a dental hygienist, and works in private dental practice in Cheshire; he is also currently a clinical lead for Test & Trace. He was involved in FGDP(UK) as Editor of Team in Practice and as the vice chair of the DCP Committee, and is now a Member of CGDent’s Membership Affairs Committee. John has studied learning and teaching, having a special interest in the use of technology and media. He is a trustee for the dental charity Maasai Molar, enabling the education of children of the Maasai region towards better dental health. originally qualifying in the Army in 1980, he has experience of hospital, NHS, teaching establishments and private practice.
Patricia Thomson AssocFCGDent graduated from Glasgow Dental School in 1983 and has worked in general practice ever since. She became a principal in 1985, sold her practice in 2017, and now works as a part-time associate. She has provided mixed NHS and private care, and has an interest in orthodontics. She has tutored colleagues for entry exams for The Royal Colleges, and presented teaching sessions on orthodontics to vocational trainees, as well as delivering postgraduate lectures at RCPS Glasgow. Joining the board of FGDP in 2016, she served on various committees, and is presently Chair of the Regional Funding Panel of CGDent. Patricia has also served as President of BDA West of Scotland Branch, and is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.
Council members serve a three-year term, open to re-election. The President is a three year, fixed-term appointment, and Vice Presidents serve a one-year appointment, renewable once.
FGDP(UK) Awards – 2021 winners
Shortly before its transfer into the College of General Dentistry, the Faculty of General Dental Practice announced the winners of its 2021 Annual Awards, which celebrate the achievements and contributions of dentists, dental team members and dental students, nominated by their peers and colleagues, in five categories:
Foundation Dentist Award
Described as a proactive and caring dentist with outstanding organisational and communication skills,
Community Contribution Award
Janet Goodwin Dental Care Professional Award
Senior dental nurse, tutor and examiner,
Continually striving to improve the oral healthcare of patients and the wider community,
Nik Pandya Student Award
The winner of the 2021 Nik Pandya Student Award was
Sneha realised many communities were unaware of basic dental hygiene and the effects of tobacco, due to an information barrier. To address this, she created a website to share information in audio and visual formats in several Asian languages. Sneha writes a research blog and has delivered talks based on her research, leading to her intercalating with a Master’s degree in medical research. She has won grants to present her research at five different conferences and recently won a national prize for the Best oral Presentation at the UK National Intercalators INSPIRE Conference for healthcare students. Her extensive volunteering work includes mentoring students from underprivileged and disadvantaged backgrounds wishing to pursue a career in healthcare.
Dean’s Award
The Dean’s Award recognises people or organisations who shared the Faculty’s commitment to promoting and improving oral health for all. The 2021 Award was given to
Ian Mills, then Dean of FGDP, said:
“Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s FGDP(UK) Awards. Their remarkable achievements, many in the face of the disruption to study and practice caused by the coronavirus pandemic, deserve recognition and reflect the commitment, hard work and resilience of the dental profession, and their dedication to promoting oral healthcare.”
Survey of CGDent members on the prescription, manufacture and fitting of flexible dentures
A study supported by the University of Kent is looking at the prescription, manufacture and fitting of flexible dentures by dentists and clinical dental technicians who practise in the UK and are members of the College of General Dentistry.
We encourage College members to support this research, which is led by Ali Al Bayati AssocFCGDent, by sparing a few minutes of their time to complete this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RSlMTGN
Faculty of General Dental Practice joins the College of General Dentistry
on 31 July 2021, the Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) completed its separation from the Royal College of Surgeons of England (RCS) to join the new College of General Dentistry, realising the ultimate ambition of its founding members to establish an independent college for general dental practice.
The Faculty of Dental Surgery (FDS) of the RCS first held an examination for general dental practitioners, the Membership in General Dental Surgery, in 1979, before establishing a standing committee on general dental surgery. An ambition to establish an independent college home for general dental practitioners later emerged, leading to the creation of the Advisory Board in General Dental Practice within the FDS as a first step. This had its own membership, which grew to over 3,000 general dental practitioners, and in 1992, the FGDP was established as a separate faculty. Unique among the UK’s Royal Colleges in being dedicated to general dental practice, the Faculty’s mission was to positively influence oral health through the education of the general dental professions and the provision of evidence-based guidance. Membership was extended to dental care professionals in 2005, to fourth and fifth year dental students in 2011, and to all dental students in 2019.
At the start of its 25th anniversary year in 2017, the Faculty announced that it would begin preparing for independence. The recent separation saw the FGDP’s charitable functions transferred to CGDent, which was formally launched on 1 July 2021. RCS England and CGDent are committed to continuing to work together in the interests of the dental professions and the patients they serve.
Commenting on the separation, Professor Neil Mortensen, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said:
“We wish our colleagues from FGDP very well as they embark on the exciting task of establishing the College of General Dentistry. Together, over the last 29 years, we have provided a professional home for general dental practitioners, and the FGDP has been a positive force for improving the care provided to patients. I am left in no doubt that we will continue to work together in the future to build on this very important work.”
Abhi Pal FCGDent, President of the College of General Dentistry and the final Dean of the FGDP, said:
“Today sees the realisation of the vision of our founders to develop the FGDP towards the ultimate goal of independence, and I thank the Royal College of Surgeons of England for supporting our profession by hosting us for the last 29 years. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of colleagues without whose participation none of the Faculty’s achievements would have been possible. We are extremely grateful for the hundreds of thousands of hours given by so many over the years to running our regional divisions, supporting study groups, marking examinations, organising CPD days, drafting standards, developing curricula, serving on our boards and committees, peer reviewing papers and all our many other activities which ultimately benefit the general dental professions and our patients. I would also like to thank all our members for their support, and I look forward to continuing to serve you as President of CGDent.”
Janet Clarke MBE FCGDent, Chair of the College of General Dentistry, said:
“The transfer of the Faculty of General Dental Practice into the College of General Dentistry is a hugely significant moment, and I would like to welcome all transferring FGDP members to the UK’s first and long-awaited independent college for dentistry. We have already launched an enhanced set of membership benefits in preparation for your arrival, and look forward to engaging you as we seek to build on the work of the FGDP to develop guidance and career pathways for the whole dental team.”
ProDental CPD – the benefits for CGDent members
There have been several elements to my career so far. I am a specialist oral surgeon and have been a mentor in oral surgery, implantology and sedation for many years. I am also an ITI Fellow, FFGDP and FDS RCS. I have worked in NHS practice and hospital/ university settings in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and am currently in part time specialist private practice limited to oral surgery and implants. I worked part time for CoPDEND (the UK Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors) for five years, developing dental postgraduate courses. During this time, I realised the limitations of face-to-face CPD provision. Difficulties in access, sourcing speakers, travel, costs and time. This sentiment was encouraged by my wife and business partner Julia who has a background in training and development and was able to introduce me to world experts in distance learning back in 2005. This group of people worked with us for many years and led to the development of our bespoke learning management platform and e-learning authoring tool. We are very proud that our bespoke learning design has successfully won innovation awards for the last four years, including best e-learning platform in healthcare.
The key driver has always been to create the best, most innovative learning experiences for our users. To do this we have invested well over £500k to develop the platform we currently have. In 2020, we were commissioned by Health Education England colleagues locally to create a CoVID training package for dental teams working in the UK. More than 50,000 dental professionals completed this free course.
We have hundreds of CPD courses on our website and this is being added to every week. We also have users in 69 countries around the world and create content in collaboration with colleagues internationally. Recently we have worked with Bridge2Aid, Smileawi and the Maldent Project and are currently looking at models for disseminating learning to remote and rural areas.
In the last year we have collaborated with friends and colleagues at CGDent and FGDP to create and host 20 webinars in many areas of dentistry with some fantastic feedback and responses, and over 30,000 viewers.
ProDental benefits for CGDent members
CGDent members have free access to all ProDental CPD recorded content. Currently there are over 350 online courses available, which vary in length from 30 minutes to 48 hours. All courses are timed as per GDC requirements, so the certificate reflects the actual time taken. This equates to over 900 hours of continuing professional development (CPD), increasing by four hours every week. The courses cover all areas of dentistry, for all members of the dental team, are independent and peer reviewed.
At least two webinars per month are being created with the College, and made available to CGDent members at no extra cost (see the Webinars & Events section, pages 16–17, for upcoming and on demand events). Many of these webinars will be themed around CGDent and FGDP standards and guidance, as well as topics featured in the Primary Dental Journal. CGDent members also get free access to other live and recorded content, on average another eight webinars per month.
How the package supports the full dental team
our mantra has always been to enable and elevate people so they can make the very best out of their career. CPD and learning should be inclusive, stimulating and rewarding for all members of the team.
CGDent members will have access to a branded and refined version of the existing ProDental electronic personal development plan (ePDP) platform. Continuous development will ensure that the ePDP provides an increasingly capable platform, aligned to CGDent’s Career Pathways programme and supporting the prioritisation of professional development goals for each member of the dental team.
I have always been passionate about both personal development and learning through helping others. Dentistry can be a tough job to get into but can have many rewards. learning and education have been the backbone of my career which I have enjoyed immensely. I believe real CPD should be quality assured and help all colleagues reach their potential and get the very best out of their careers. I have been very fortunate to meet people in my career who have acted as mentors and helped to develop areas of my career. This has helped me attain things I never thought were possible in my life. I believe that CGDent offers new opportunities for the whole dental team to develop their careers, form relationships and get the support they need in their career journey. I feel honoured to be able to help this fantastic organisation.
Find out more about the benefits of joining the College of General Dentistry and how to register:
WEBINARS & EVENTS
Upcoming – dates for your diary
A look ahead at the virtual and in-person training events on offer from the College of General Dentistry and partners.
Northern Study Day: No more nails – The ultimate guide to complete dentures
Dr James Field, Consultant in Prosthodontics and Senior Clinical Teacher at Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, will be sharing his knowledge and expertise, offering guidance on providing suitable care for patients with prosthodontics.
Newcastle Gateshead Marriott Hotel Metrocentre, Marconi Way, Gateshead NE11 9XF 6 CPD hours
Standards Live – Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry
In collaboration with ProDental CPD, this webinar provides an exploration and Q&A around the Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry: Good Practice Guidelines, which are available on cgdent.uk.
online
1.5 CPD hours
Scotland Study Day 2021
This Study Day will feature headline speakers Iain Chapple and Carol Tait, presenting informative updates on treatments for perio and endodontics. The event will close with the Caldwell Memorial lecture, given this year by Steve Bonsor, focussing on what’s new and topical in the application of dental materials. An informal drinks reception will follow. Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA 6 CPD hours
PDJ Live – Professionalism in Dentistry
A discussion based on the Leadership and professionalism topics in June’s themed issue of the Primary Dental Journal. online
1.5 CPD hours
Leadership in Dentistry
This webinar aims to explore myths around leadership and understand the importance of leadership in dentistry. The role that reflective learning can play in the development of leadership skills will also be discussed.
online
2 CPD hours
Practice Ownership
In par tnership with the British Dental Students’ Association, this webinar includes speakers Abhi Pal, CGDent President, and Raj Rattan MBE, Dental Director at Dental Protection. online
1.5 CPD hours (tbc) For further information, up-to-date listings and to register for any of these events, visit:
On demand webinars and courses
Missed a live webinar?
As a CGDent member you have free access to over 900 hours of recorded content, and around two live webinars every week, from ProDental CPD. You should have received an email from ProDental to set up your account, but if you haven’t – please check your ‘spam’/’junk’ folders first – email
PDJ Live – Urgent dental care and COVID-19
A discussion based on the Urgent dental care and COVID-19 topics in this month’s themed issue of the Primary Dental Journal. View webinar:
Mental Health Wellness Framework
This webinar discusses what we can do to make mental health wellness a priority in dental workplaces, and explores the results of a related paper, published in this issue of PDJ.
View webinar:
Dental Teams ARE Healthcare Teams: Redeployment During COVID
This webinar discusses redeployment during the CoVID-19 pandemic.
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How to get the best from your career in dentistry
No matter what stage of your career, this webinar helps you make the best career decisions. Designed for the whole dental team, exploring where to go next, what courses and opportunities are available, and with information on CGDent’s “Career Pathway”, this on demand event could give your dental career a boost.
View webinar: CGDent members also have access to the complete online library of ProDental CPD and courses at
Introduction to Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics (NSFA) (1 of 3)
In the first of three NSFA webinars, this on demand session explores the reasons for entering the field, and how to build foundations to excel and meet regulatory requirements, while avoiding common early-stage pitfalls.
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Facial Aesthetics: Clinical Cases and Applied Anatomy (2 of 3)
The second webinar in this series provides an overview, covering clinical case studies, the patient journey, and applied facial anatomy.
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Non-Surgical Facial Aesthetics: Complications (3 of 3)
The third webinar in the NSFA series delves into the complications in the immediate, short and long term post- delivery of cosmetic injectables, and provides management strategies with a greater focus on vascular occlusions.
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College of General Dentistry
An exploration of the purposes and benefits of the new College of General Dentistry (CGDent), covering the background and history of the FGDP(UK) and perspectives on how a new College can address the challenges facing dentistry today. Includes information on how to become a CGDent member, and what membership offers.
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Further information and links to recordings are available at:
