Sir, the recent paper by Donnell et al. highlighted the effect of a global pandemic on final year students, with their feelings of uncertainty about the future mirrored across the profession.1 Although the questionnaire return rate represented 12% of subsequent dental foundation (DF) trainees in the 2020 cohort (perhaps due to them being 'questionnaired out'), there was a lot of highly relevant information for dental schools, DF programmes, deaneries and the wider profession.

As with similar preparedness papers,2 feelings of lack of preparedness around carrying out complex procedures, such as molar endodontics and surgical extractions, was a key point and some sensible and practical suggestions were made on how this may be improved. The value of outreach programmes in preparing students for life beyond dental schools was emphasised:

'Students have consistently expressed their appreciation for learning in outreach and community settings; however, this should not overshadow the need to refine the more complex skills in which they feel least confident.

'As such, some suggest that the lack of preparedness of dental students for complex procedures is as a direct result of increasing periods of time spent at outreach which contributes to reduced experience in key areas of restorative dentistry and oral surgery.'

From my experience, these complex skills can be well-refined in outreach by specialists/consultants visiting such centres regularly and supporting students in carrying out such procedures in an environment very similar to that in which they may be expected to work on qualification. The two need not be mutually exclusive and benefit not only students, but patients too.

As highlighted by the authors, whilst DF training may be the perfect safety net, closer working between schools, DF training programmes, deaneries and the GDC will ensure a smooth transition to the workplace with hopefully less need for such a net, which serves the interest of all.3As far as I am aware, successful DF completion rates are comparable pre- and post-COVID which is reassuring to all stakeholders.