The FGDP(UK) programme in Reflection in Practice for DCPs is an online module which allows participants to develop reflective skills that are essential to both further learning and continual improvement in patient care. Participants will have the opportunity to present their reflection for assessment and those that are successful will receive a certificate of completion with 10 hours of verifiable CPD.
Find out more about Reflection in Practice for DCPs
What is the Reflection in Practice programme?
Who is this programme for?
How is it completed?
How does the programme relate to assessment in the Key Skills in Primary Dental Care?
What do I need to do now?
Download the application form
Assessment calendar and fees
What is the Reflection in Practice programme?
Reflection is about explaining an event or process and then indicating how you have learned and developed practice as a result. Reflection is vital in ensuring a high standard of patient care as it allows you to demonstrate, in your own words, your understanding of the knowledge, skills and competencies required in the workplace and your ability to improve on these for the benefit of patients.
Reflection in Practice for DCPs requires you to meet a series of learning outcomes on a topic that should be familiar to all DCPs, GDC guidance and standards for dental professionals. You will receive guidance and tips to support a reflective approach to meeting the learning outcomes; through these you should be able to produce 4 pieces of reflective writing demonstrating your knowledge and understanding of the topic.
Who is this programme for?
The programme 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
Reflection is increasingly important in dental education and therefore the programme may be of particular interest to DCPs who are planning to undertake further training or study.
Dentists will able to access the programme to use as a development tool but will not be able to submit work for assessment as this is restricted to the groups above.
How is it completed?
The programme is completed online through the FGDP(UK) Touchstone portfolio system. To access the programme all participants will need to complete an initial registration form, which should be submitted to the Assistant DCP Officer at the FGDP(UK).
Once your initial registration form has been received you will be given online access to the module by the FGDP(UK). Instructions on how to use the programme will be provided!
Current DCP affiliate members of the FGDP(UK) will not have to pay to access the programme as access to Touchstone is a benefit of Faculty membership. Non-members will be asked to submit a registration fee of £15 with the initial application form. This will give access to Touchstone and the online programme for 6 months.
On completion of your reflective writing you may choose to submit your work for assessment by the FGDP(UK). You do this through the online portfolio and instructions for submission will be provided for you. The cost of assessment is £20 for all participants.
All assessors are experienced DCPs and the marking descriptors they use will be available with the online programme. If you work meets the required standard to pass your will receive a certificate and 10 hours of verifiable CPD.
All work is completed through distance learning; you will not need to attend any teaching or exams to complete the programme
How does the programme relate to assessment in the Key Skills in Primary Dental Care?
The Key Skills in Primary Dental Care Assessment for DCPs requires participants to reflect on their role in relation to the Key Skills. Therefore if you are interested in undertaking this programme in the future, Reflection in Practice is ideal preparation for this and for other forms of study. However Reflection in Practice and Key Skills are stand-alone programmes. This means that if you wish to participate in the Key Skills assessment programme later on, you will need to make a new application for this. Information about the Key Skill in Primary Dental Care Assessment for DCPs can be obtained from the DCP team at the FGDP(UK).
What do I need to do now?
The next step is to complete an initial registration form and submit it (with registration fee if required) to:
Kate Reece
Assistant DCP and Accreditation Officer
Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PE
For further information about the programme, please contact Kate on 020 7869 6772 or kreece@rcseng.ac.uk.
