The College has launched a new portfolio-based route to joining its Fellowship community.
The new route, which will be available in relation to specific fields of practice, means that both Associate Fellowship and the Clinical & Technical domain of College Fellowship can now be achieved through recognition of a wealth of clinical experience and expertise, not just advanced qualifications.
Under the new scheme, those with at least five years’ post-qualification experience in the discipline for which they are applying, and who meet the specification for prior training, can submit a portfolio of six suitably complex cases, undertaken within the past five years, for assessment. The expected standard for cases is that which would be achieved with a relevant 120 credit, Level 7 Diploma or at Level 2 clinical complexity.
As well as qualifying the applicant for Associate Fellowship and the Clinical & Technical domain of Fellowship, a successful portfolio can also be published as a recognised qualification in the College’s Member Register.
Both Associate Fellowship and Fellowship of the College are open to dental professionals in all team roles.
Associate Fellowship acts as a stepping stone to Fellowship, recognising enhanced knowledge and skills as well as a commitment to lifelong learning and the highest levels of patient care. As members of the College’s Fellowship community, Associate Fellows are eligible to attend its prestigious Fellows’ Receptions, have the opportunity of ceremonial admission by the College President and may use the postnominal ‘AssocFCGDent’.
All those holding an eligible qualification can become an Associate Fellow without the need of portfolio assessment. These are:
- a relevant PhD, Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma meeting the College’s eligibility criteria
- Specialty membership of a Royal College or Royal College faculty
- Membership in General Dental Surgery (MGDS)
- Diploma in Postgraduate Dental Studies (DPDS)
- CGDent Diploma in Primary Care Orthodontics
- FGDP(UK) or RCS Edinburgh Diploma in Implant Dentistry
- FGDP(UK) Diploma in Restorative Dentistry
- FGDP(UK) Diploma in Primary Care Oral Surgery
Fellowship is the most distinguished membership of the College and is recognised with the postnominal designation ‘FCGDent’. It is a mark of excellence; significant commitment to the science, art and practice of dentistry; and distinction across clinical and professional domains. All dental professionals with ten or more years’ post-qualification practice may apply for Fellowship by route of experience, and to be successful applicants must provide evidence of meeting the requirements of three of five domains:
- Clinical & Technical
- Teaching, Learning & Assessment
- Leadership & Management
- Publications & Research
- Law & Ethics
The Clinical & Technical domain is automatically satisfied without the need of portfolio assessment for those who meet one of the eligibility criteria for Associate Fellowship described above, or who have qualified as a:
- Specialist (with demonstrable referral activity)
- Member of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgery
- Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry
- Accredited Full Member of the British Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry.
Applications for portfolio assessment are now being accepted in Restorative Dentistry. Portfolios in Implant Dentistry will start being accepted early in 2026, with those in Orthodontics thereafter.
To find out more, and to apply, click the button below:
The next College Fellows’ Reception, incorporating the ceremonial admission of new Associate Fellows and Fellows, will take place on the evening of Thursday 5 February 2026 in London. For details, visit cgdent.uk/events