The Key Skills assessment is open to all dental care professionals (DCPs) and can be completed through distance learning. Participating DCPs are asked to present a portfolio of evidence reflecting on their learning and role in relation to each Key Skill. Particpants will be awarded a certificate and 10 CPD hours per Key skill completed.
Find out more about the key skills assessment
What are the key skills?
The following key skills have been identified by the FGDP(UK) as a core part of delivering a high standard of patient care:
- Medical emergencies
- Infection control
- Record keeping
- Radiography
- Legislation
- Team development
- Communication and complaints handling (based on the Risk Management and Communication Key Skill)
- Dental materials
Why should I enter the assessment?
The assessment provides DCPs with an opportunity to reflect on each of the key skills, demonstrating their understanding of each topic, application of their knowledge and the development of good practice for the benefit of patients. The key skills programme is also ideal preparation for any DCP who is considering undertaking further post qualification study. For each successfully completed key skill, you will be awarded 10 hours of verifiable CPD, thus contributing to your mandatory CPD requirements. You will also be awarded a certificate.
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
What is the assessment process?
You need to register for the assessment with the FGDP(UK). After submitting an initial registration form and a registration fee (see below for details of fees), you will be sent a study pack containing support materials and instructions for the preparation of your Key Skill portfolio/s. You will also be sent a password that will allow you to access an electronic copy of the template through a secure area of the FGDP(UK) website, and an interactive online resource pack.
Once you have received the study pack, you can begin putting together your portfolio/s.
When you have completed your work, you can send it off to the FGDP(UK) for assessment. Submission is ongoing with three assessment dates per year (see the assessment calendar below).
How will I be assessed?
The assessment will test your demonstration of knowledge and understanding of your role in relation to each key skill. You will be asked to demonstrate this through a portfolio of evidence reflecting on each key skill.
If you have not come across reflective writing before, or wish to develop further skills before undertaking the key skills assessment, you may wish to consider undertaking the FGDP(UK) online programme Reflection in Practice for DCPs. For further information about this programme, please contact Kate Reece on 020 7869 6772 or email kreece@rcseng.ac.uk.
Your portfolio can also contain training and CPD certificates, practice policies, audit findings, diaries, logs, and copies of various documents or images that support your work. Portfolios will be assessed by experienced DCPs, who will look at your work and award the grade of ‘pass’, ‘distinction’ or ‘resubmission’. If a resubmission is required, you will be asked to provide further evidence of knowledge and understanding of the key skill in question. All candidates will be provided with written feedback from the assessors.
I got a ‘pass’. Can I resubmit my portfolio in order to gain a ‘distinction’?
Yes. You are welcome to develop your portfolios to proceed from ‘pass’ to ‘distinction’ by working along the assessors’ feedback. Once you have reworked your portfolio, you can submit it to the Faculty for assessment. There will be a further fee payable for each key skill submitted for reassessment (see below). The award of ‘distinction’ is not automatically guaranteed, and will be awarded on merit.
Do I need to enter all of the key skills at once?
No. The assessment is designed to be flexible. You can submit as many or as few key skills as you wish and you will receive a certificate for each one that you have successfully completed. Portfolios can be sent in when and as they are finished and they will be put forward to the next available submission date.
Is there a time limit to completing a portfolio?
Yes. You will have to submit at least one portfolio within three years of registration; otherwise your registration will expire.
Can I do the same key skill again in my next 5-year CPD cycle?
Yes. The key skills are a great way to keep accumulating verifiable CPD hours. The learning outcomes will require you to use and reflect on the most recent legislation and your current practice. Due to their flexible structure, you can revisit the same key skills or do different ones in consecutive CPD cycles.
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. You may choose to purchase this but you do not have to do so for the assessment. Faculty members can buy the e-learning package online at a discounted price of £195 + VAT (please note that there will be an additional charge of £20 for the CD-ROM version).
How do I find out more?
For further information on the key skills assessment for DCPs, please contact Kate Reece on 020 7869 6772 or kreece@rcseng.ac.uk.
