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Preparing for practice in the modern era - A Dental Foundation Trainee's perspective

BDJ In Practice volume 37, pages 156–157 (2024)Cite this article

In the blink of an eye, we're approaching the mid-point of the year, which means an important milestone for Dental Foundation Trainees like myself fast approaches. The first few months in practice are now behind us and the arduous ascent atop the steepest of learning curves is well and truly underway. As I am sure many of my colleagues will agree, the transition from dental student to practicing professional has been a transformative experience thus far, filled with excitement, trepidation and of course, a myriad of challenges. However, as I draw closer to standing at the threshold of my career, a bigger challenge or (better yet) question looms large in my mind: am I ready for practice?

At its face value, the answer to this question is a rather simple one. Yes. During the past few months I have received extensive clinical exposure, which has helped to rapidly build my competence in dealing with diverse patient cases, an array of practice-based materials and evidence-based techniques. A feat which not too long ago would have seemed unfathomable to a new graduate lacking the same level of clinical experience and confidence as his predecessors.

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References

  1. Association for Dental Education in Europe. Preparedness for Practice: A Rapid Evidence Assessment. 2020. Available at https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/research/adee-preparedness-for-practice-report.pdf?sfvrsn=cb76f1ff_14 (accessed February 2024).

  2. Kalsi J S, Hemmings K. The influence of patients' decisions on treatment planning in restorative dentistry. Dent Update 2013; 40: 698-710.

  3. General Dental Council. Preparedness for Practice of UK Graduates Report. 2020. Available at https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/research/preparedness-for-practice.pdf (accessed February 2024).

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  1. Ivy House Dental Practice, London, United Kingdom

    Triman Ahluwalia

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  1. Triman Ahluwalia
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Correspondence to Triman Ahluwalia.

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Ahluwalia, T. Preparing for practice in the modern era - A Dental Foundation Trainee's perspective. BDJ In Pract 37, 156–157 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-024-2679-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-024-2679-9

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