By Nisha Bhanu, Foundation Dentist Sittingbourne, Kent

figure 1

Dental foundation training (DFT) is a crucial steppingstone for newly qualified dentists, offering the opportunity to develop skills, expand knowledge, and gain practical experience in a supportive environment. This training period can lay the foundation for a successful dental career if you maximise your learning and development opportunities. By making the most of this training, dentists can acquire essential skills, build confidence, and establish a solid professional network. This article will explore some tips to maximising the benefits of the DFT year.

figure 2

©Tom Werner/DigitalVision/Getty Images Plus

1. Embrace continuous learning

DFT provides an invaluable opportunity to enhance your clinical knowledge and skills. During my DFT year, I was learning something new every day - from clinical skills, to patient management, to treatment planning. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning by actively seeking out educational resources, attending study days and conferences. Take advantage of the vast range of continuing professional development (CPD) courses offered to you as a foundation dentist. Engaging in continuous learning not only helps you stay up to date with the latest evidence-based knowledge, but also demonstrates your commitment to professional growth.

2. Utilise your mentorship

DFT provides us with an education supervisor (ES), a member of the team hoping to teach newly qualified dentists and share on their wisdom of clinical experience and patient management.

A mentor can provide valuable insight, offer constructive feedback, and help you navigate the challenges of transitioning from dental school to professional practice.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in professional development. During your dental foundation training, seek advice and guidance from experienced mentors who can guide you in refining your clinical skills, decision-making, and patient management. As well as your appointed educational supervisor, this may include other members of the dental team - other associates, specialists, oral surgeons etc. A mentor can provide valuable insight, offer constructive feedback, and help you navigate the challenges of transitioning from dental school to professional practice. Actively engage with your mentors and ask questions.

3. Expand clinical experience

DFT offers a wide range of clinical experiences, enabling you to gain exposure to various dental procedures and patient demographics. Actively seek opportunities to expand your clinical experience by volunteering for challenging cases, assisting in complex procedures, and taking on additional responsibilities under the guidance of experienced clinicians. Be proactive in requesting exposure to different aspects of dentistry, such as oral surgery, prosthodontics, or orthodontics, to broaden your skill set and knowledge base.

4. Build a professional network

Building a professional network as a dentist is of paramount importance for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, a robust network of colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals enables dentists to stay aware of the latest advancements and best practices in the field. Dentistry is a rapidly evolving field, with new techniques, technologies, and research emerging constantly. By connecting with other dentists, attending conferences, and engaging in professional organisations, we can access valuable insights and knowledge, allowing us to provide the highest standard of care for our patients.

Secondly, a strong professional network provides opportunities for collaboration and referrals. During DFT you will encounter cases that require specialised expertise or interdisciplinary approaches. By having a network of trusted colleagues, you can readily seek advice and refer patients to specialists if appropriate. This not only enhances patient care but also fosters professional growth and expands the scope of services we as general dentists can offer.

A well-established network can open doors to career advancement and practice growth. Whether it's exploring job opportunities, seeking partnerships, or obtaining mentorship, a professional network serves as a valuable resource. Colleagues within the network can provide guidance, share experiences, and offer insights into various career paths, enabling dentists to make informed decisions and pursue their goals effectively.

Lastly, building a professional network fosters a sense of community and support. Dentistry can be a demanding profession and having a network of like-minded professionals can provide emotional support and mentorship. Connecting with others who share similar challenges can alleviate professional isolation - we all have cases where we are unsure and would appreciate the advice/opinions from someone we trust!

In conclusion, building a professional network as a dentist is crucial for staying current in the field, accessing collaboration and referral opportunities, advancing one's career, and fostering a supportive community. Investing time and effort into networking pays dividends not only in professional growth but also in providing the highest level of care to patients.

5. Reflect and self-assess

Regularly reflect on your progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Although this is an essential requirement during the foundation training year as part of the E-portfolio, insightful reflection is a great skill to refine moving forward, as you will be learning throughout your entire dental career.

Dental foundation training is a transformative period in a dentist's career, providing a platform for personal and professional development.

Keep a record of cases you have managed, procedures you have performed, and challenges you have encountered. Engage in self-assessment to identify areas where you need to develop further and set goals for improvement. Seek feedback from your mentors and colleagues, as their insights can provide valuable perspectives on your professional growth.

Dental foundation training is a transformative period in a dentist's career, providing a platform for personal and professional development. By actively engaging in continuous learning, seeking mentorship, developing effective communication skills, expanding clinical experience, building a professional network, and reflecting on your progress, you can make the most of this invaluable training phase. By embracing these strategies, you will lay a strong foundation for a successful and fulfilling dental career, whichever path you choose to go down.