Sir, we read with interest and complete agreement the article written by Professor Craig Barclay on the matter of the potential withdrawal of practical tests as part of the national specialist recruitment process in the UK.1

We were deeply concerned to learn of the proposal to withdraw these practical tests which we consider to be a fundamentally important component of the selection process for trainees before they commence their training to become a specialist in their chosen clinical area. We consider that there is no conceivable reason to withdraw the practical element of the selection process, as it is critically important that future specialist trainees possess a high level of clinical skills and ability to ensure they can satisfactorily complete the rigours of a specialist training programme, to maintain patient safety, and to permit appropriate use of resources in delivering their training.

As clearly explained by Barclay, given that there is no process of revalidation in dentistry (unlike medicine), the clinical standards of dentists are not routinely re-evaluated, which further increases the importance of ensuring that those embarking on specialist training programmes possess the clinical skills necessary to successfully complete the programme and achieve their career aims. We consider that the proposed amendments to specialist trainee recruitment in oral surgery and restorative dentistry that have been made by the National Medical and Dental Recruitment Selection Programme Board to remove the practical stations are inappropriate and would be a highly retrograde step. We call on those involved in the delivery of postgraduate training and education to ensure that patient safety is maintained, and that the selection process for trainees continues to assess clinical skills as a core component.