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Key Skills in Primary Dental Care

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• The indispensible e-learning package
• Introduction
• Benefits
• Format
• How can it help me?
• Prices and how to buy
• Acknowledgements
• Sponsors

The indispensible e-learning package

Introduction

Drawing on the core skills component of the MJDF examination, this package provides essential guidance to every dentist and dental team members on:

• Clinical record keeping
• Infection control
• Legislation and good practice guidelines
• Medical emergencies
• Radiography
• Risk management and communication
• Team training

The package provides a flexible education, training and accreditation tool to suit a variety of needs. It can be used by dentists, all members of the team, primary care trusts and other dental delivery organisations as a quality assurance tool.

Benefits

The key skills concept is an integral part of everyday general dental practice. Together, the seven key skills provide a framework that will help dentists achieve a quality standard endorsed by the FGDP(UK).

In addition to the 7 hours of verifiable CPD provided, the package includes a downloadable guide and template to help users complete a key skills portfolio, which can be assessed by the FGDP(UK) and leads to the award of the key skills certificate. Your portfolio can also become a practice manual.

The key skills format is also being used widely as an integral part of the foundation training programme, and the Key Skills e-learning package is highly recommended to support this training – work which can then be carried forward towards the completion of the Portfolio of Evidence of the MJDF examination.

However, the key skills are relevant to dentists at any stage of their career and will help them demonstrate that their practice is complying with seven areas where good practice is essential to good clinical governance.

Key Skills in Primary Dental Care features in advice from the Department of Health on generalist skills required as a part of the appointments process for Dentists with Special Interests (DwSIs). Anticipating forthcoming revalidation requirements, a key skills portfolio could also form a part of the evidence confirming continued fitness to practise.

The content of the package is relevant to all members of the team, and its interactive nature makes it an ideal team training tool. The latest second edition of the package (released in May 2007) has been adapted so that is it also relevant to dental care professionals (DCPs), who can use it for post-registration professional development and as a tool for revalidation. The package is also recommended as a valuable preparation tool for the Key Skills in Primary Dental Care assessment for DCPs.

The package is based on UK standards in practice, but is valuable for dentists and dental team members wherever they are based.

Format

Key Skills in Primary Dental Care e-learning package consists of seven modules and an introductory booklet, available in a format of your choice, either via the internet or as a set of CD-ROMs. The product can be used by any member of the practice (single site) who has purchased the software, and must be set up for use on a single PC (or laptop for portability).

Each module covers a different topic and consists of:

• A short introduction to the topics covered
• Video clips demonstrating real-life scenarios
• Contextual interactive quizzes and questions to test knowledge assimilation
• A structured and well thought-out learning approach to ensure flexibility and self-paced learning
• Guidance tips on what to include in the core skills component of the MJDF Portfolio of Evidence
• A template for completing the key skills portfolio

How can it help me?

For the experienced dentist

• Demonstrates that the practice is complying with seven areas where good practice is essential to clinical governance
• Supplies confirmation of generalist skills for Dentists with Special Interests
• Provides an educational tool for training the whole dental team
• Provides a certificate of completion with 7 hours of verifiable CPD

For the young dentist

• Supplies structured information for providing evidence of five core skills required as part of the Portfolio of Evidence component of the MJDF examination
• Provides guidance tips on what to include in the core skills component of the MJDF Portfolio
• Equips you to perform competently and to 'good practice' standards in the clinical environment
• Complements the training available locally
• Allows flexibility – study at your own pace, when and where you wish, and in the order you prefer
• Includes a downloadable template for completing the key skills portfolio

For dental care professionals

• Awards a certificate for each individual key skill completed successfully
• Forms a valuable part of your professional development portfolio, demonstrating your commitment to delivering a high standard of patient care
• Contributes to the mandatory CPD requirements, to be introduced by the General Dental Council in 2008
• Provides structured information which will prove valuable when preparing for the Key Skills in Primary Dental Care assessment for DCPs

For further information, please e-mail fgdp@rcseng.ac.uk.

To order your copy, please contact Smile-on on 020 7400 8989 or keyskills@smile-on.com. For further information, please follow the link below to Smile-on's website.

Acknowledgements

The Faculty would like to express its thanks to the editorial board and subject matter experts for their help in creating Key Skills in Primary Dental Care.

Editorial Board

Mike Mulcahy

Raj Rattan

John Hall

Sponsors

The Faculty would also like to express sincere thanks to the sponsors, without whom this package would not have been possible.

The Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) has created a limited number of web links to its major commercial sponsors. These are created in good faith. Inclusion within our website does not imply endorsement by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) or The Royal College of Surgeons of England of any product or service.