Training at the practice

Carriage works – Lostwithiel Dental has been involved with training recently qualified dental graduates since 2011. In order for dentists to be able to provide NHS dental care in general practice they are required to have completed a 12 month supervised placement. This foundation year is similar to junior doctor’s  hospital training posts and ensures that they are able to put into practice their 5 years undergraduate training in an inspected and approved practice with an experienced and trained senior mentor.

Newly qualified dentists will join us with a wealth of new knowledge, skills and latest techniques that they have gained at dental school, this helps the dental team keep up to date on how they are being taught, new regulations and trends in the profession.

During this year with us the foundation dentist will provide the full range of routine care that would normally be expected of a general dental practitioner. They will also participate in audit, postgraduate training days away from the practice, case presentations, weekly tutorials and perform a number of observed treatments that are assessed by their mentor. These are essential to satisfy the educational programme that the graduates are suitably skilled, experienced and  safe to be able to work unsupervised after the successful completion of this year. Due to these requirements, the dental mentor may need to be present in the surgery to observe treatments or may sometimes be called in to oversee a procedure.

Some appointments may take a little longer than you anticipate. This additional time may be required so you will not feel rushed at your appointment and they will have plenty of time with you.

Finley Bason is the educational supervisor for the programme and sometimes may be required to leave his patients under the care of his dental assistant in his surgery to assist the foundation dentist.

We feel that it is really important to support new dentists in the start of their career and give them a working knowledge of how the NHS dentistry system works also where possible offering them a chance to grow their confidence in a supportive environment.

From September 2022 Jack Skelton will be joining Finley as a joint foundation dentist trainer.