The design of 10 Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations is now underway following completion of the planning stages of a new, joined-up approach to assessment.
Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations Board Chair, Professor Sondos Albadri, and education expert Dr Yvonne Hurst, met with members of the 10 new exam boards to begin work on the new exams on Monday 16 June.
The new approach to assessment from the three surgical royal colleges of the UK will support dental trainees in demonstrating the specialist knowledge, skills and capabilities required for progression.
Professor Sondos Albadri, Chair of the Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations Board, said: “We are making good progress towards the development of a new generation of specialty exams. Our Exam board members are very engaged and positive about the outcomes achieved, and their contagious enthusiasm has got us off to a very good start.
“We are delighted with the interest and support from the wider dental community, with more than 300 examiners applying for a role in the development of the exams. This is an exciting time for dentistry.”
The UK’s three royal colleges of the UK announced the new approach to assessment for 10 Specialty Fellowship Dental Examinations in May 2024.
Given the distinct regulatory and governance arrangements under which RCSI operates, it will not be involved in taking forward the new exams; however, they remain an important stakeholder.
Next steps
The Colleges are set to release the eligibility requirements for the new Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations imminently.
Work is also underway on a new MFDS examination to ensure those who apply for the specialty exams have the foundations from Dental Core Training and will have the required skills for specialty training.
MFDS examiners are now invited to apply for a role in the development of the new exam. https://dsfe.org.uk/vacancies/
ENDS