COPDEND wish to advise of a new process introduced to facilitate applications to specialty training. This process has been developed to facilitate specialty training applications from individuals who have not followed a standard UK training pathway (dental core training), allowing a more flexible approach to specialty training application.

A dentist who wishes to apply for specialty training is required to demonstrate the competencies acquired at the end of UK dental core training year 2 (DCT2) at the time of post commencement. This is currently the case for all dental specialty programmes. If a dentist has not undergone UK DCT2, and they consider that they have acquired experience and/or training which should be regarded as equivalent to DCT2, they can apply to have this confirmed through the National Certificate of Dental Core Equivalence (NCDCE) process.

This streamlining to one central process should be a welcome development to assist those who advise and support dentists wishing to apply for training. It is also intended to increase transparency and consistency to the assessment of evidence.

Applications are accepted during one stand-alone window each year. For 2022, applications open on Tuesday 2 August and close on Tuesday 6 September at 4.00 pm. Applications to specialty training without the NCDCE for those who have not undertaken formal DCT training will not be progressed by recruitment teams.

Further information is available via the following link and includes comprehensive guidance for applicants, frequently asked questions and access to apply: https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/our-work/dental-dct-equivalence-ncdce/.