Foreword by the Dean
We were formed in 1992 as the academic home for all members of the dental team. Based at the Royal College of Surgeons of England, our aim is to improve the standard of care delivered to patients through standard setting, postgraduate training and assessment, education and research.
Around 95% of the dental care in the UK is provided in the primary dental care setting. It is therefore hugely important that we look after the continuing professional development and training needs of both dentists and dental care professionals (DCPs) working in this field.
 View the FGDP(UK) prospectus
We have developed a Career Pathway for general dental practitioners. Progression on the pathway will provide accreditation for the practitioner and a system of quality benchmarking which can be relied upon by organisations who commission dental services and by patients.
The delivery of dentistry in the primary care setting is very much a team activity and we are therefore very glad to have the assistance of our Advisory Board consisting of DCPs. We are delighted to have launched an affiliate membership scheme for DCPs in January 2005.
We are also very grateful for the contribution of our Lay Advisory Group who make sure that all that we do is aimed where it should be - at improving the standard of care for patients. You can visit the patient information developed by the Lay Advisory Group.
I am always interested to receive comments on the Faculty's activities and suggestions for the future. Please write to me at the Faculty or email fgdp@rcseng.ac.uk.
For the latest information on what we are doing, please check the Career Pathway section.
Russ Ladwa, Dean of the FGDP(UK)
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