Fellowships FAQ

How do I become eligible to enter the assessment?

To become eligible to enter the FFGDP(UK) assessment, candidates must first complete the stages 1 (foundation stage) and 2 of the FGDP(UK) Career Pathway.

I've completed the first two stages of the Career Pathway. What happens next?

You need to inform the FGDP(UK) that you have completed all the credits required and ensure that you send verification (i.e. a copy of the certificate) of any credits gained through qualifications taken outside of the FGDP(UK).

You are then eligible to apply to sit the Fellowship assessment. An assessment calendar is available on the members' area of the website showing application deadlines. For each assessment date, there is an initial application date which is normally 4-5 months before the date of the assessment. You will be asked to pay half the Fellowship assessment fee on application. Once you have formally applied to sit the assessment, you will be assigned a mentor (see below for more information about the mentor's role).

Please note that you must be a member of the FGDP(UK) to enter the Fellowship assessment.

What will I be doing between application and the assessment date?

You will be preparing your portfolio of evidence and cases for presentation, with the support of your mentor. Further details on these are below.

There is a ‘cut-off date' approximately eight weeks before the assessment date. If you wish to sit this assessment, you will be required to submit your portfolio and case presentations to the FGDP(UK) Examinations Office by this deadline and pay the remainder of the assessment fee.

If you do not yet feel ready to enter the assessment, you may continue your preparations and defer to a future assessment date. There will be no extra charge for this.

What do I need to prepare?

The portfolio of evidence

This should demonstrate that you have achieved all the standards of competence as set out in the Fellowship by Assessment in General Dental Practice Curriculum. The portfolio should consist of the following:

Full CPD record for the last 5 years
An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
A copy of your personal development plan, covering a minimum of 5 years and showing any agreed alterations
A completed practice questionnaire including record cards, signed off by your mentor. The practice questionnaire is available from here (members only).
Four clinical cases (see below for further details)
Details of two recent audits (completed within the last 5 years) with a summary of findings and actions taken
A reflective commentary of no more than 1000 words on a learning experience that has changed the way you practise

Four clinical cases

As part of the portfolio of evidence, candidates will be required to present four clinical cases. The evidence required for these and the suitability of cases is to be found in appendix II of the Fellowship regulations and the accompanying guidance notes.

Candidates who have previously successfully presented cases that fulfil the above requirements as part of accredited clinical programmes, may qualify for a full or partial exemption from this part of the assessment. For more information, please see the ‘case fact sheet', available from the FGDP(UK).

What will the role of the mentor be?

The mentor will:

Provide support and encouragement throughout the Fellowship assessment process, acting as a ‘critical friend'
Ensure the candidate fully complies with the Fellowship regulations
Give guidance on the selection of clinical cases and other evidence required for the assessment process
Give guidance on the selection and presentation of two audits and ensure that the candidate is aware of the need to write a reflective commentary
Undertake a practice visit to:
Inspect emergency and resuscitation equipment and drugs
Look at practice/staff manuals and introduction pack for new staff
Review the standard of clinical record keeping by reviewing a random selection of patient notes
Subsequently validate a selection of clinical records being submitted to assessors as representative of the clinical records maintained in the practice
Review clinical cases to be presented for assessment
Review practice questionnaire and associated evidence
Provide continuing advice on all the above
Validate the evidence to be submitted and sign the relevant declarations required by the Faculty prior to the candidate's assessment discussions being arranged
Ensure the candidate submits all the relevant documentation to the Faculty and is aware of what they will need to take to the College for the Fellowship discussions
Stay in touch with the candidate during and after the assessment

For full guidance on the role of the mentor, please see section 1E of the Candidates' Guide to the Fellowship.

What will happen at the assessment?

The assessment will normally take place at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

You will have a discussion of minimum 45 minutes and maximum 1 hour with two assessors, where you will have the opportunity to discuss, and elaborate on, your written evidence. You will also be required to demonstrate an understanding of the standards of competence and how they apply to the provision of the highest standards of patient care.

There will be a separate discussion on the clinical cases for those required to present them at the assessment.

If after the discussion(s) the assessors are satisfied that you have demonstrated evidence of all the competencies required, they will recommend that you are awarded the Fellowship.

However, it may be that you are asked to submit some further evidence before the Fellowship can be awarded. Please note that in these cases, you will only be re-assessed on competencies where further evidence is deemed necessary and will not be re-assessed on any competencies deemed satisfactory in the first assessment.