Sir, as a current dental foundation trainee I was disappointed to read the article which expressed concern with 'declining standards' of trainees.1 Although it may be true that we have had less clinical experience than our historical counterparts, I found it short-sighted that this was the only focus.

In this changing day of dentistry, and with the introduction of revalidation, the clinical component is only one of the four key domains. I feel that we are amid a new generation of dentists, and I do not agree that we are 'medico-legal centric', but rather we are focussed on developing in all four components for the benefit of our patients. Although some foundation trainees may have less experience with clinical procedures, the article failed to discuss other aspects key to foundation training. For example, in my training scheme we have received excellent feedback from our patient satisfaction questionnaires, completed multiple audits, and can self-identify our individual learning needs and create a personal development plan accordingly. It may also be valid to consider that clinical proficiency in a treatment such as crown and bridgework can be gained through experience in the general practice setting, whereas effective patient communication is a vital skill to acquire at the start of our careers. These other aspects contribute to us becoming well-rounded professionals and improve the standards of care for our patients. Overall, although I appreciate that the findings from this study do indicate a possible need to review undergraduate training, I think it is important to remember that clinical skill is only a quarter of the overall picture. I believe as current dental trainees we are developing into reflective practitioners and this is something that should be celebrated.