Sir, I read with interest the item Evaluation of vocational training of dentists in three different regions (BDJ 2006; 201: 774–778). As a final year dental student, I found this research article useful. It provided me an overview of what VT year would be like (the good and the bad).

I applaud the writers for bringing up the problem on the appointment process for vocational training. Although the list for the South Wales deanery will only be posted on 12 March 2007, students have been making practice visits and sending CVs way before this date. It is with the hope that they will obtain a suitable practice in terms of location and environment. This involves a lot of effort (transport, writing and sending letters) and time (missing clinical sessions/time off). Come 12 March 2007, more time will have to be taken off for interviews. On top of this, final year projects will have to be handed in and revision started for finals.

A different system should be used whereby students could be matched to prospective vocational trainers based on certain criteria such as location, areas of dental interests, equipment provided and type of training. This would help reduce the amount of time spent on the whole appointment process. Although this system has its own flaws, it would be a better alternative to the current system.