Key Skills Assessment for DCPs
The FGDP(UK) has established a new assessment in the seven Key Skills in Primary Dental Care, as identified by the FGDP(UK). This assessment is aimed at all groups of dental care professionals (DCPs), can be completed through distance learning, and is ongoing.
Participants will have the opportunity to show knowledge and understanding of the seven Key Skills by presenting a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their learning and achievements in their role as a DCP.
Successful completion of each of the seven Key Skills will lead to the award of a certificate and 10 CPD hours per Key Skill completed.
Please note: As of 1 Septebmer 2009 revised assessment fees have been introduced. Please see the section below on assessment fees for further information.
Frequently asked questions
What are the seven Key Skills?
The seven key skills are:
- Medical emergencies
- Infection control
- Record keeping
- Radiography
- Legislation
- Team development
- Communication and complaints handling (based on the Risk Management and Communication Key Skill).
These Key Skills have been identified by the FGDP(UK) as a core part of delivering a high standard of patient care.
Who can enter the assessment?
The assessment is open to the following groups of dental care professionals:
Dental nurses
Dental technicians
Dental hygienists
Dental therapists
Clinical dental technicians
Orthodontic therapists
Practice or laboratory managers
Dental receptionists
Please refer to the Regulations regarding eligibility for assessment.
How will I be assessed?
The assessment will test your knowledge of each Key Skill and also your understanding of how the Key Skill is applied in your workplace. You will be asked to demonstrate this though presentation of a portfolio of evidence.
Your portfolio is also a chance for you to record your achievements in your role. It may contain items such reflective writing, training and CPD certificates, practice policies, audit findings, diaries, logs, and copies of various documents or images.
Portfolios will be assessed by experienced DCPs. The assessor will either assess your work to be a 'pass' or will ask you to provide further evidence of their knowledge and understanding of the Key Skill in question (resubmission). In the event of a resubmission being requested, you will be provided with written feedback from the assessors.
Why should I enter the assessment?
For each Key Skill successfully completed you will be awarded a certificate which will form a valuable part of your professional development portfolio, demonstrating your commitment to delivering a high standard of patient care.
Key Skills certification will also contribute to the mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements, to be introduced by the General Dental Council in 2008. You will be awarded 10 hours of verifiable CPD per Key Skill completed.
Do I need to sit any exams?
No. Submission is ongoing, with one more date in 2008 and then three per subsequent year (see the assessment calendar below). You will need to send any work that you would like to be assessed to the FGDP(UK) by one of these dates. The work will be assessed at the Faculty and will be returned to you with the results of the assessment and any relevant feedback.
How do I enter?
You need to register for the assessment prior to commencing preparation of the portfolio of evidence. You will be asked to submit an initial application form and a registration fee of £30.
On registration for the assessment you will be sent a study pack containing support materials and instructions for submission of your work. Once you have received the study pack, you can begin putting together your portfolio.
What support materials will I receive?
The study pack will contain a workbook entitled 'A guide to preparing your portfolio of evidence'. This guide will include the Key Skills curriculum, suggested template for completion of a portfolio, suggested evidence items, a further reading list, and general guidance on compiling your portfolio.
You will also be sent a password which will allow you to access an electronic copy of the template through a secure area of the FGDP(UK) website.
How does this differ from the e-learning package?
The Key Skills in Primary Dental Care e-learning package is a training tool for the dental team and is recommended as a valuable preparation tool for the assessment.
The Key Skills assessment for DCPs is an opportunity for you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding gained from such training and your experience and achievements in your role.
Do I need to enter all seven Key Skills at once?
The assessment is designed to be flexible. You may enter between one and all seven Key Skills and you will receive a certificate for each one successfully completed. There are no time constraints; portfolios can be sent in as and when they are finished, and they will be put forward at the next available submission date.
The initial registration fee covers the support materials and the assessment of one Key Skill of your choice. There will then be a further fee payable for each additional Key Skill submitted for assessment (see below).
How do I find out more?
Regulations, assessment calendar and application form can be printed from this page or can be requested from the FGDP(UK).
For further information, please contact the FGDP(UK) on 020 7869 6772 or aschuele@rcseng.ac.uk.
Assessment calendar, fees and forms
Assessment calendar
The following are the dates for submission of work in 2009/2010:
Friday 4 Septebmer 2009
Friday 8 January 2010
Friday 23 April 2010
Candidates must submit any work that they wish to be assessed by one of the above dates. Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances, including postal delays. Any material received after the dated stated on the examinations calendar will be transferred to the next available submission date.
Candidates must have submitted the initial registration form and fee prior to submitting work for assessment.
Assessment fees
The initial registration fee:
DCP Affiliate members of the FGDP(UK): £30
Non-members: £60
This fee covers the cost of the support materials and assessment of one Key Skill of the candidate’s choice.
For each further Key Skill submitted, there is a fee of £20. This fee also applies if the Key Skill is being resubmitted.
All cheques should be made payable to FGDP(UK).
Registration form and Regulations
 Download a registration form
View the Regulations
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