Dental therapist Laura King will be among the speakers in the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium at this year's British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show, advocating for postgraduate training for dental therapists.

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Continuous training is mandated for all dental professionals, but there are still challenges to be overcome for many members of the team. These include access to quality education, relevance of programmes available and the benefit of the new skills being learnt to support job applications. This is especially true for dental therapists, who still face difficulties when seeking postgraduate training and looking for new job positions.

Delegates who wish to share their own experiences and hear from those who have found successful training pathways for themselves shouldn't miss the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show (BDCDS) 2023. This May, we will bring together dental therapists and dental hygienists from across the nation for two days of world-class education and networking. A selection of renowned and highly experienced professionals will be taking to the stage to offer valuable insights and a wealth of information for delegates to benefit from.

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Laura King will be among the speakers in the Hygienist & Therapist Symposium, supported by the British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT). Laura is a dental therapist who currently works within the UK Ministry of Defence and on a private basis. Passionate about ongoing education and career progression, she will be advocating for postgraduate training for dental therapists. About her presentation, Laura says: 'My session will explore Postgraduate Foundation Training Schemes for dental therapists. I'll consider how additional training can increase clinical confidence and benefit career prospects for many individuals. I will also discuss some of the barriers that dental therapists face whilst seeking jobs or new career opportunities and positions.

'This presentation is based on the findings of my Master of Research Degree and is not representative of the whole dental therapist population. It will, however, offer insight and a comparison into the experiences of dental therapists who have completed Postgraduate Foundation Training Schemes, and those who have not.

'Dentistry is evolving, especially with changes to the NHS contract. More Deaneries are now offering Postgraduate Foundation Training Schemes for dental therapists, yet many professionals seem unaware of their availability or the benefits of participation.

'The Advancing Dental Care Report1 highlights training opportunities for the whole dental team and I will share some of the key findings with delegates.'

The Advancing Dental Care Report was published by Health Education England following a three-year review into the professional training infrastructure for the healthcare workforce. Its proposals included giving trainees diverse experience of managing complex care, better use of skill mix across dentistry and further options for all dental professionals to increase their knowledge and skills. It also highlighted the need for greater flexibility regarding routes of entry into training for wider access, apprenticeships, and digital/blended learning solutions.

During her session, Laura hopes to dispel some of the myths surrounding postgraduate education for dental therapists. She continues:

Postgraduate Foundation Training is mandatory for dentists who want an NHS Performer Number. The question now is whether this approach should be more widely adopted by dental therapy graduates.

'There is a misconception that Postgraduate Foundation Training Schemes for dental therapists are for individuals who don't feel confident at the point of qualification. This is not true. Postgraduate Foundation Training is mandatory for dentists who want an NHS Performer Number. It is a well-established and accepted training and career pathway for all dental professionals. The question now is whether this approach should be more widely adopted by dental therapy graduates, and if it could help dental therapists who continue to face challenges when seeking new job opportunities.

'It is my goal that delegates will leave my session with an enhanced understanding about the benefits of further training, skills consolidation, and increased clinical confidence. I also hope colleagues will be more aware of the common barriers that all dental therapists can encounter.'

The trade exhibition will complement the educational programme at BDCDS perfectly by hosting various training providers that delegates can liaise with directly. Whether you're looking for a training course or seeking new ideas on how to diversify your career, this is the place to be!

Plus, BDCDS is a great opportunity to connect with the wider profession, to share experiences with like-minded colleagues and have some fun with friends. All members of the team will be in attendance, as well as representatives from an array of associations and professional bodies - including the BADT and the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT).

Don't miss out - register for your free delegate pass online today.

The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show 2023 will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May, NEC Birmingham, co-located with DTS.

For more information, visit https://rfg.circdata.com/publish/DS23/?source=EKC or email dentistry@closerstillmedia.com.