College of General Dentistry News

Standards in Dentistry: new edition

The College has published the third edition of Standards in Dentistry, its comprehensive and free online manual bringing together standards and guidelines for primary care dentistry.

A compendium acting as a guide to personal or practice-based quality assessment, it sets out specific basic and aspirational standards covering 17 areas of practice.

Fifteen of these have been fully updated from the second edition to reflect changes to the evidence base and other contemporary contexts:

  • Consultation and diagnosis
  • Making and receiving referrals
  • Direct (plastic), coronal and root surface restorations
  • Indirect coronal restorations (crowns, bridges, onlays, veneers)
  • Endodontics
  • Implant dentistry
  • Management of acute pain
  • Management of dental trauma
  • Minor oral surgery
  • Oral medicine
  • Orthodontics
  • Paediatric dentistry
  • Periodontics
  • Complete dentures
  • Removable partial dentures

Two new sets of standards have also been added:

  • Aesthetic dentistry
  • Digital dentistry 

The standards are focussed on practitioner processes rather than treatment outcomes, and the book adopts the College’s ‘Aspirational’, ‘Basic’, ‘Conditional’ (ABC) notation for the grading of recommendations.

Standards in Dentistry also summarises over 100 standards, guidelines and advisory publications by the College and 50 other national and international bodies, and signposts to other relevant resources, organisations and legislation.

In addition to synopses of guidance covering the areas of practice listed above, summaries of 18 clinical and non-clinical fields from the second edition have been updated:

  • Clinical governance
  • Emergency dental care
  • Examination and record-keeping
  • Infection control
  • Medical emergencies
  • Medications management
  • Oral health
  • Pathology
  • Patient information
  • Practice management
  • Prevention
  • Radiography
  • Research governance
  • Restorative dentistry
  • Risk management & communication
  • Sedation
  • Special care dentistry
  • Staff training

Four brand new summaries have also been added, covering:

  • Antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship
  • Environmental sustainability
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Mental health and wellbeing

The first edition of Standards in Dentistry, published by the former Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) in 2006, combined the functions of two previous FGDP publications, Self-Assessment Manual and Standards (SAMS) and Guidelines for Structure and Process in Dental Practice. The second edition was published in 2018, with the College making it available to the profession since it inherited the Faculty’s portfolio of guidance and standards publications in 2021.

The newly expanded third edition has been two years in the making, with over 1,000 comments received and considered during consultation processes with College Fellows and a wide range of national dental organisations. It is the College’s first comprehensive update of a flagship FGDP publication, and the first standards document to employ the College’s new branding following the recent grant of a Coat of Arms.

It was developed by an editorial team led by Professor Ewen McColl FCGDent (Head of Peninsula Dental School, Chair of the Dental Schools Council, Editorial Director of Dental Update and College Council member), which also included Professor Chris Tredwin FCGDent (Dean of Queen Mary University of London Dental School), Professor Robert Witton FCGDent (Professor of Community Dentistry, Peninsula Dental School), Lorna Burns (Information Specialist and Associate Head of Postgraduate Taught Programmes, Peninsula Dental School), Dr Nicola Gore FCGDent (general dental practice principal and College Council member) and Dr Susan Nelson MCGDent (general dental practitioner, implant dentist and College Council member).

For the benefit of the whole dental profession and all dental patients, the College has made Standards in Dentistry available to view free of charge.

College members can also download it to their devices as a PDF for personal use, giving access to search, text-select and print functionality.

Celebrating the publication of the new edition, Dr Roshni Karia MCGDent, President of the College, said:

“The provision of guidance and standards by dental professionals, for dental professionals, is central to the mission of the College, and Standards in Dentistry is an indispensable reference guide offering a comprehensive pool of information for all those working in general dental practice and primary dental care. Generations of oral healthcare professionals across the world have been supported by this and other publications of the former FGDP in their journey to provide effective clinical care and better outcomes for their patients, and the College will continue to provide this assistance for future generations. On behalf of the College, I would like to thank all the authors for their hard work, and the many College members and external consultees who gave their time to provide feedback and suggestions.”

All dental professionals and practices are encouraged to view Standards in Dentistry by visiting our Standards and Guidance page, where free access is also offered to the following publications:

  • Clinical Examination and Record-Keeping
  • Selection Criteria for Dental Radiography
  • Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-Ray Equipment
  • Antimicrobial Prescribing in Dentistry
  • Training Standards in Implant Dentistry
  • Mentoring in Implant Dentistry
  • Dementia-Friendly Dentistry
  • An Introduction to Research for Primary Dental Care Clinicians
  • Implications of COVID-19 for the safe management of general dental practice

Users who are not members of the College will need to be logged into their College Subscriber account; new users can register for free at cgdent.uk/register-new

new users – register here
members & subscribers: log in to view standards in dentistry

Print copies will be available for sale in due course.

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College of General Dentistry Blog

Building the right bite: occlusion and the successful delivery of aligner therapy

Dr Andy Toy FCGDent, a general dental practitioner and educator with a special interest in occlusion, highlights the fundamental link between occlusion and the long-term stability of aligner therapy.

Simply aligning a few anterior teeth can significantly alter a patient’s occlusion.  Whilst many patients seem to cope with their ‘new bite’, there are others who suffer from TMD, chronic pain or mobile teeth because of their aligner therapy.  There are also patients presenting with challenging occlusal problems that could be resolved with the right type of aligner orthodontics.  Every aligner case requires the dentist to understand how to diagnose, plan and finish their patients with a healthy functional occlusion.

I will be delivering a half-day lecture at the Perio-Occlusion Symposium on Saturday 20 September, to address issues like these. My presentation will provide a clear and simple approach to occlusion and clear aligner therapy based on over 40 years of learning and teaching. My aim is to help you:

  • Differentiate between easy and challenging aligner cases
  • Assess the patient’s TM Joint and occlusion and create a treatment plan to deliver a healthy, functional bite
  • Know how to finish and retain your aligner cases

Why is Cassie easier to treat than Jim?

Cassie
Jim

If Cassie and Jim walked into your practice, in my experience most novice orthodontists would steer clear of Cassie and see Jim as an easy win.  Jim has mild crowding with some wear that’s crying out for your best bonding technique.  What a great Align-Bleach-Bond case!  Ker-ching!!  Cassie has more crowding and, even worse, an anterior open bite?  What a nightmare!

In fact, once you do a thorough assessment of TMJ function and occlusion, combined with discovering the patient’s wishes, you would find that Cassie is much easier to treat than Jim. 

Why is this?  Jim has an edge-to-edge occlusion on a class III base – these cases are often much more difficult than they first appear.  The challenge is creating enough overjet to give you space for your bonding and create a healthy envelope of function.  You will need to: a) create lots of space in the lower arch with inter-proximal reduction; and b) control the anchorage to maximise the lower anterior retraction. 

Case photos: Jim

Cassie simply wants to align her teeth and isn’t bothered by her anterior open bite.  Comprehensive assessment of her TMJ and functional occlusion indicates that her bite is healthy.  She just needs some levelling and aligning.  Simple!

Case photos: Cassie

Correct biomechanics ensures successful aligner therapy  

Jeff is another class III case.  I used Invisalign Go™ (that is moving 5-5 only and up to 25 aligners) combined with class III elastics to support anchorage and we finished with a great looking result and healthy occlusion.  In fact, Jeff is easier to treat than Jim.  Can you see why?  It’s all down to how you assess a cross-bite.   Once you know how, it’s much easier to choose your winners and avoid creating an occlusal cripple.

Case photos: Jeff

Aligner therapy can eliminate occlusal dysfunction

Brenda is not too concerned about her appearance, but she is very worried about the pain she is experiencing and the possibility of losing her teeth.  She’s also in her 70s and not overly keen on dental treatment.

Brenda has multiple crossbites, tilted teeth and missing molars.  Where do you start?  My approach is: thorough assessment and diagnosis of her TMJ function and dynamic occlusion; careful planning of her Invisalign Comprehensive™ treatment; and a patient-centred consent process.  That way Brenda knows what the problem is, how we may treat it and what benefits and risks she may encounter as a result.  This gives Brenda the confidence to go ahead with the plan and enjoy a healthy, comfortable bite for the rest of her life.  Come along to the Symposium and I’ll show you how I used aligner biomechanics on Brenda’s case so that you can apply them on your own patients.

Case photos: Brenda

If you are able to attend the symposium, you’ll be better placed to avoid cases that are beyond your experience level; feel confident that the cases you do treat will have a healthy, functional bite; and sleep better at night. You can find out more and book your place here.

The Perio-Occlusion Symposium takes place on Saturday 20 September in London.

Click here for further details and to secure your place

Read our blog on Pink Aesthetics to find out more about the topics included in the morning lecture, delivered by Dr Reena Wadia.

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College of General Dentistry News

College to host Leadership Development Masterclass

The College will soon be hosting a Leadership Development Masterclass for dental professionals.

Professor Sreenivas Koka FCGDent (l) and Professor Elizabeth Carr FCGDent (r), co-presenters of the CGDent Leadership Development Masterclass

The masterclass will teach some of the most critical elements needed to be an effective team leader, with carefully curated content offering appropriate breadth and depth for early-career leaders, including:

  • Giving and receiving feedback as a leader
  • Learning one’s motivations for leadership (and adapting accordingly)
  • Measuring your leadership effectiveness

The one-day programme, which will take place at the Royal Society of Medicine in London from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 14 October 2025, will be led by Professor Sreenivas Koka DDS MS PhD MBA MAS FACD FCGDent and Professor Elizabeth Carr MAADH DHA FACD(Hon) FCGDent.

Professor Koka is co-founder of Executive Leadership Enterprises and the Future Leaders in Prosthodontics (FLiP) programme, and founder of both the Shaping the Future of Implant Dentistry (SHIFT) leadership workshop series and the non-profit Career Design in Dentistry organisation. He is also a former Chair of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management Alumni Board. Dean of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry from 2021-2024, he has been a lecturer at the University of Michigan and University of California Los Angeles, and a professor at Loma Linda University, the University of Nebraska and the Mayo Clinic. In addition to qualifying as a Doctor of Dental Surgery, he holds a Master’s in Prosthodontics from the University of Michigan, an MBA from MIT, a Master’s in Applied Sciences from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD from the University of Nebraska. He was the founder and owner of Premium Dental Editing in Rochester, Minnesota, and of Koka Dental Clinic in San Diego, and is the author/co-author of over 100 peer-reviewed articles and nine book chapters. A Fellow of CGDent, he was brought up in Romford, emigrated to the United States at the age of 19 and is one of 16 dentists in his family.

Professor Koka is also the guest editor of the next issue of the Primary Dental Journal (PDJ), which will be published later this year on the theme of leadership, and co-author of its papers on ‘Everyday leadership’ and ‘Oral health in the context of patient well-being: Implications for the general dentist’.

Professor Carr is Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene, Professor of Dental Hygiene and Director of the Mississippi Population Oral Health Collaborative at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, where she has worked for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene and a Doctorate in Health Administration from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Dental Hygiene from the University of Tennessee. She has also completed the MIT Sloan School of Management’s Executive Certificate programme in Leadership and Management. A Fellow of the CGDent, she is also an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Dentists, a past President of the Mississippi Dental Hygienists’ Association, and a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Academy of Dental Hygiene. Her peer-reviewed articles on leadership and dental education have been published in the Journal of the American College of Dentists, the Journal of International Oral Health, the Journal of Prosthodontic Research, the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, the Journal of Dental Hygiene and the Journal of Dental Education.

Professor Carr is also the author of ‘Effectively managing difficult conversations with patients and dental teams’ and co-author of ‘Everyday leadership’ in the upcoming leadership-themed issue of the PDJ.

The Leadership Development Masterclass, which is restricted to just 25 places, costs only £170 to attend and comes with 4.75 hours of CPD verified for GDC Development Outcome B. Attendees will need to be a Full Member, Associate Fellow or Fellow of the College at the time of booking – information on joining and eligibility is available here

Simon Thornton-Wood PhD, Chief Executive of the College, said:

“To practise dentistry requires years of education, yet people can take on leadership roles with little or no training at all. First-time and second-time dental leaders are challenged because other people’s actions now define them; the potential to fail in a leadership role is high and the consequences can be significant.

“That’s why leadership in dentistry is such a focus for the College. It was the theme of our very first journal issue in 2021, we’re re-visiting it in the next issue, it is one of our five domains of Fellowship and we have a recorded webinar on the subject available free of charge for all our members. It is also the topic of a blog post by our Immediate Past President, under whose Presidency we hosted a Leadership Workshop for early career dental professionals.

“Leadership can be taught and learned, so we are delighted to be able to host this masterclass, and privileged that it will delivered by two College Fellows who are world-leading scholars in the art and science of practising leadership in the context of oral healthcare delivery.”

For further information, and to book your place at the Leadership Development Masterclass, click the button below.

FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK YOUR PLACE

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College of General Dentistry News

In memory of Kevin Lewis, 1949-2025

We regret to report the passing of Kevin James Lewis FCGDent, former Trustee, Ambassador and Founder of the College.

Born in Hounslow, Middlesex, in May 1949, he qualified BDS from The London Hospital in 1971 and LDS in 1972, worked full-time as a general dental practitioner and practice owner for 20 years, then part-time for another ten years while he developed his interests in the dento-legal field.

In 1989 he began a 27-year career at Dental Protection, initially as a member of the Board of Directors, then as a dento-legal adviser, and as Dental Director between 1998 and 2016, serving on the Council and Executive of the Medical Protection Society.

In the 1980s and 1990s he was involved in broadcasting, being the monthly dental contributor on a BBC Radio 2 programme and a regular contributor on both BBC and commercial local radio in the East Midlands and East of England. He also gave a number of TV interviews, participated in dentistry-related documentaries and was the host of The Dental Channel.

Better known to many now for his writing, he was a long-serving Associate Editor of Dental Practice, Consultant Editor of Dentistry from 2006 and a contributing author to The Technologist since 2018, providing the profession with contemporary, insightful political commentaries, editorials and dento-legal articles for over forty years. He also wrote two textbooks on dental practice management and guest chapters in several others.

He enjoyed some part-time teaching and supervision of undergraduate students, and lectured throughout the UK and internationally, presenting at seven FDI World Dental Congresses as well as regional or national conferences in almost 30 countries, including regular lectures in Australia, New Zealand, North America and South East Asia.

In the early part of his career, he was heavily involved in the British Dental Association up to Branch Council level and in Local Dental Committee matters, and for some years was a Vice President of the British Association of Dental Therapists. He was a Trustee of the Oral & Dental Research Trust and a past Trustee of the Cordent Dental Trust, a Special Consultant to BDA Indemnity and he provided consultancy and advisory services to a variety of organisations in dentistry and wider healthcare.

In 2017, following the decision of the national board of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice UK (FGDP) to build an independent college for general dental practitioners and the whole dental team, he was appointed a founder member of the Transition Board tasked with creating what became the College of General Dentistry. He subsequently served as a Trustee of the College until 2022, then as a College Ambassador. He was a College Fellow, College Founder and College Donor, presented College webinars on dento-legal topics, and wrote for the Primary Dental Journal.

He was also a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and of the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, achieved the Diploma of Fellowship of the former FGDP, and was awarded Honorary Membership of the British, Irish and New Zealand Dental Associations. He was an Honorary Member, and past Council Member, of the British Society for Restorative Dentistry.

Last month he was awarded the College Medal, the College of General Dentistry’s most prestigious honour, in recognition of his consistent championing of general dental practice during a career spanning over half a century, and for his contributions to the establishment and development of the College from its formative stages.

He passed away peacefully in Peterborough Hospital, with his family around him, on Wednesday 30 July, aged 76. He is survived by his wife Rhiannon (formerly Head Dental Nurse of the Department of Periodontology at The London Hospital), son Nick (a College Fellow and former Course Director of the FGDP Diploma in Restorative Dentistry), daughter Angharad Sian (a solicitor in Hong Kong) and daughter-in-law Jane (a GDP in Hampshire).

Paying tribute to his legacy, the President of the College, Dr Roshni Karia MCGDent, said:

“Kevin was a great champion of general dental practice. As a young graduate, I was inspired in so many ways by the humility, insight and expertise which were the hallmarks of his lecturing, and I know that his loss will be felt by many others in our professional community. He will be dearly missed.”

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College of General Dentistry News

Donations sought for Coat of Arms Fund

The College has launched a fundraising appeal to support the full adoption of its Coat of Arms, Badge and new colours following its recent Grant of Arms.

(l-r): The College’s recently-granted Coat of Arms; Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent receiving the Grant of Arms; the College Badge

Donations to the Coat of Arms Fund will be used specifically to realise the privileges of being granted Arms to best possible effect in order to further enhance recognition of the College, the status of Members and the standing of the general dental profession in the UK and elsewhere. 

The appeal has been kick-started by Mick Horton FCGDent, Chair of CGDent’s Trustee Board, who has generously agreed to fund the design and production of a run of College Medals – the College’s most prestigious honour, awarded annually for exceptional service to the profession.

In addition, Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, the Honorary Founding President of the College and Chair of College Fundraising, has made a donation which will cover the cost of designing and producing a number of Past President’s medals.

A key ambition for further donations is the design, production and distribution of a new College lapel pin for every Member and Fellow featuring the College Badge – an opinicus rampant holding a giant pearl of wisdom – granted by the College of Arms. It is intended that the College’s Arms and Badge will soon become recognisable symbols of College membership, raising the profile and impact of the College across the UK and around the world as the only independent collegiate home for all members of the dental team.

The Coat of Arms Fund will also be used to have the College’s Grant of Arms by Letters Patent professionally mounted for permanent display.

Subject to the donations received, the Fund will also enable the design and production of other regalia to incorporate the Coat of Arms, Badge and new College colours, including membership and diploma certificates; an embossed leather-bound Fellows’ Register; ceremonial gowns for use by serving College Officers; and a special medal to be worn by the sitting President, which in recognition of the College’s history will be hung on the Chain of Office previously worn by Deans of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) [FGDP].

Another significant use will be to fund an application for the matriculation of the College’s Grant of Arms by the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh. The Letters Patent by which the College has been granted Arms provide official recognition in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but as a UK-wide organisation, parallel recognition in Scotland is a priority for the College and will be important in the future application for Royal Charter.

Over 120 individuals and organisations from across the UK and beyond have so far donated to support the establishment and development of the College. These are listed on the College website’s donors page, and in launching the Coat of Arms Appeal the College would like to thank a number of these whose generous contributions covered the £22,500 required for the processes which culminated in the Grant of Arms:

  • Dr Ali Al Bayati FCGDent
  • Col John Anderson FCGDent
  • Dr Tariq Ashraf FCGDent
  • Dr Christine Breare FCGDent
  • Dr John Gamon CBE FCGDent
  • Prof Stanley Gelbier FCGDent
  • Dr Edgar Gordon FCGDent
  • Dr Andrew Hadden FCGDent
  • Dr Robert Hensher FCGDent
  • Dr Stuart Johnston FCGDent
  • Dr Anthony Kravitz OBE FCGDent
  • Dr Graham Orr FCGDent
  • Dr Abhijit Pal FCGDent
  • Mr William Sharpling FCGDent
  • Smile Academy
  • Dr Christopher Turner FCGDent
  • Prof Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent

The College is now seeking an additional £28,000 to fully realise the benefits of the Grant of Arms, and all Members and Fellows, supporters and supporting organisations of the College are encouraged to give generously to enable this to happen.

All donors, existing and new, will be acknowledged in the Autumn 2025 issue of the Primary Dental Journal and in perpetuity on the College website, with their cumulative donations, including to the Coat of Arms Fund, categorised as follows:

  • Major benefactors (>£50,000)
  • Benefactors (>£25,000)
  • Major donors (>£10,000)
  • Donors (>£5,000)
  • Major contributors (>£1,000)
  • Contributors (<£1,000)

Sir Nairn said:

“Donating to the Coat of Arms Fund is a special opportunity to go down in history as having contributed to the realisation of a historic milestone in the development of the College. This is a one-off opportunity to contribute to a lasting legacy which recognises the origins of dentistry as we know it today, and signifies the purpose, aims and aspirations of the College.”

All those wishing to secure a special place in the history of the development of the College should contact Sir Nairn, who will be pleased to assist you in becoming a Coat of Arms donor, and, if you are so minded, a College legator or regular donor. Please email [email protected]

CONTACT SIR NAIRN

A description of the symbolism and meaning behind each of the heraldic elements in the College’s Coat of Arms is here

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College of General Dentistry Blog

Why should early career dental professionals learn about gum aesthetics?

Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, founder of the Tom Bereznicki Dental Educational Foundation, considers the vital role of gum aesthetics in digital smile design, an area of dentistry which early career practitioners are increasingly becoming involved in.

It is increasingly important to consider the appearance of the gum when treating aesthetic cases, particularly in digital smile design. But despite the crucial role of ‘pink aesthetics’ in aesthetic dental practice, it is a topic that is often not so well understood by early career dental professionals, mainly due to a lack of education in this area.

In many cases, paying attention to a patient’s pink gum can be as vital as treating the shape, position and colour of their dentition. Cultivating the right balance between the tooth and periodontal tissue may be key to achieving the ‘ideal smile’ and improving your patient’s confidence.

In days gone by, patients were happy with their appearance if they avoided dentures. These days, patients are much more discerning and restorations like the cases shown below from my archives, would now be regarded as aesthetically unacceptable.

If a patient has a low lip line, the position of the gum, in theory, is not an issue. However, many patients these days often judge outcomes by aesthetics when they lift their lips out of the way.

If a lot of gum is visible when the patient smiles, the appearance and position of the gingival tissue, as well as the teeth, will certainly need to be carefully planned – in particular matching zenith points and ideally showing no ‘black’ triangles.

Correct diagnosis is essential. In the two cases below, both patients attended asking to have their teeth veneered as they hated their smiles because they thought their teeth looked too short. However, neither case required procedures to lengthen their teeth, they merely had too much gum showing and required crown lengthening.

Correct treatment planning is also crucial to greatly improve the final aesthetics of treatment. In this case, crown lengthening around the lateral incisors prior to the provision of two veneers delivered the best result for the patient.

Improving a patient’s smile by treating the appearance of the gum does not have to be complex. Even the smallest minimal surgical procedure can have a dramatic effect on aesthetics and patient confidence. 

Whereas carrying out crown lengthening procedures exposes more of the patient’s tooth to achieve a harmonious balance between the gum and the tooth, gingival recession can also be treated through minor surgical procedures. In the cases shown below, a laterally repositioned flap provided a successful, long-term solution. 

30-year follow-up

The upcoming Perio-Occlusion Symposium on 20 September addresses gum surgery cases similar to the cases covered in this blog. My introduction to the topic will be followed by a half-day lecture delivered by Dr Reena Wadia MCGDent, a well-known specialist periodontist. Reena will examine the indications and steps of crown lengthening surgery and the optimal aesthetics we aim for. In addition, she will discuss the indications of gum recession surgery and the various procedures available. The afternoon session will be delivered by Dr Andy Toy FCGDent on how occlusion can affect the long-term stability of treatment using aligner therapy.

For those who wish to extend their knowledge further, information will also be available on postgraduate courses which cover these topics in greater depth.

The Perio-Occlusion Symposium takes place on Saturday 20 September in London.

Click here for more information and to book your place

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College of General Dentistry Student Advice

Getting your first job as an Associate Dentist: preparing a successful application

Choudhury Rahman graduated from the University of Manchester in 2023 and joined the College as an Associate Member, also becoming a CGDent Ambassador. Here are his tips to help you submit a successful application for your first Associate Dentist position after DFT.

After Dental Foundation Training (DFT) is completed, you will be faced with the prospect of getting your first job as an Associate Dentist. You may be able to become an Associate Dentist at your FD practice, if that suits you and if a position is available. Or you might want to work in a different practice, maybe in another part of the country, and the search for a job will then begin.

I stayed on part time at the practice where I did my DFT, and looked for other positions to fill my week. In my first year post FD, I have moved practices a fair bit as I’ve tried to find a position and practice that suits me. I’ve worked for two of the major corporates in the UK along with a variety of different independent practices and have learnt a lot about applying for jobs along the way.

From my experience in the dental jobs market, here are my tips on making a successful application.

How to find a job in the first place

There are many different ways to find a job and it’s worth exploring all avenues until you find the job that’s right for you. Here are some of the ways I have found out about available Associate Dentist roles.

Online platforms

Good and reliable websites which advertise dental positions include BDJ Jobs and Indeed, and there are many other online platforms that you will come up when you search. These advertise a wide variety of Jobs. BDJ also gives an extra level of assurance in that it will specify which practices are part of their ‘Good practice’ programme which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to standards of good practice in relation to professional and legal responsibilities.

As well as recruitment websites, you may also find Associate Dentist positions advertised on social media. Some practices will post vacancies in places like LinkedIn and Facebook groups .

Recruitment agencies

There are numerous recruitment agencies which will search for jobs for you based on your set of criteria, which can save you a lot of searching time. These include Henry Schein Dental Recruitment, Dental Elite and Zest.

Word of mouth

Lastly, and possibly one of the most underrated methods of finding a job – word of mouth. Ask around. Ask other dentists if they know any practices with vacancies which they may not be advertising. If there’s a practice you really fancy, that looks like they provide the kind of dentistry you want to do, send them an email and ask if they have any jobs available. You’ll be surprised the number of practices which don’t actively recruit, even with empty chairs, as they want to hire very particular and motivated dentists. This is sometimes the best way to find a position where you can really grow and develop your dentistry.

Making an application that stands out

A compelling CV

First things first, make sure your CV is up to date. In the early stages when you may have not had much professional experience, include roles or responsibilities you had whilst in dental school, or even whilst you were an FT. Talk about your areas of interest , what courses you would like to do, and the experiences you gained whilst being an FT. All of this will show how motivated and keen you are to develop and grow, which practices will want to see. Don’t think to yourself that because you lack experience no one will want you – in fact sometimes it’s the opposite. Having a newly qualified, motivated dentist, who is wiling to learn is a good investment for any practice. On the flip side, someone who is very well experienced, but stuck in their habits and not willing to change may not be right for a practice who are forward thinking and looking to invest in their team.

Covering letter

Secondly, It’s  a good idea to personalise your application with a covering letter. Explain what drew you to the practice, what value you might be able to add to the practice (do they lack a DWSI in endodontics? Maybe you can become that for them!), and discuss the qualities you would bring to their team.

Portfolio

Lastly, try and put together a portfolio. Even if it’s not photographs of amazing work, it shows that you are trying, and willing to develop. Adding a reflection on areas you need to improve shows your dedication to developing your skills, and will look attractive to practices wanting a motivated and hard working dentist.

As part of the application process, it’s important to ask questions about different aspects of the practice and the position you are going for, so that you fully understand what it will be like to work there. Having worked in several different practices in the last year, I have learnt that even little things about the way a practice operates can have a big impact on your enjoyment of the job. Read my blog Getting your first job as an Associate Dentist: essential questions you need to ask for a list of things to look out for.

And finally, don’t be down-hearted if you don’t get offered the first job you apply for. Be persistent, keep applying for positions and you will find the Associate Dentist job that’s perfect for you!

Author bio

“I Graduated from University of Manchester in 2023, completed my FD Training in the Greater Manchester North Scheme and am now an Associate Dentist in Greater Manchester. I’m also a NextGen Ambassador for the College of General Dentistry. My clinical interests include Oral Surgery and Prosthodontics. I am currently undertaking a Masters in Prosthodontics at UCLAN and have interests in Implants and also dental education. Outside of work, I enjoy running and 5-a-side football.”

Dr Choudhury Rahman

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College of General Dentistry Student Advice

Getting your first job as an Associate Dentist: essential questions you need to ask

A 2023 graduate from the University of Manchester, Choudhury Rahman is an Associate Member of the College and CGDent Ambassador. Here is his advice about choosing your first Associate Dentist position.

Finishing your Dental Foundation Training (DFT) can be an exciting and challenging time with lots of opportunities to grow and develop. One of the first challenges you will face is finding the right Associate Dentist position for you.

I was fortunate enough to stay on part time at the practice where I did my DFT, and this gave me the opportunity to explore how different practices worked and operated as I looked for other positions to fill my week. In my first year post FD, I have worked for two of the major corporates in the UK along with a variety of different independent practices and have learnt a lot along the way.

There are many things to look out for and think about when finding a job. Here’s a list of some important factors to consider so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did!

  • Independent practice vs corporate practice

In many (but not all) independent practices you may have more freedom to ask for materials and equipment, within reason, and you can set fees as you wish rather than charging fixed private rates. The management set-up is usually clearer too, so you know who to speak to if you have an issue.

However, many corporates have generous discounts on courses as well as co-funding options for more expensive courses, which can be beneficial especially straight out of DFT (watch out for the tie-in lengths).

Some corporates run networking events to help with meeting other people in the dental profession which is nice!

  • How many days are available and what are the hours?

It’s worth considering whether you want to work full time in one practice or divide your working week between different practices.

  • What is the Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) rate?

Is it a reasonable rate for the area you’re going to be in?

  • How many UDAs are available?

Are there enough UDAs for you, considering how fast you work?

  • Why is the job available?

Is there a new surgery? Is someone leaving or reducing days? Ensure the start date is very clear.

  • What system do they use?

Is it SOE, R4 or Dentally? They’re all quite different, and if the practice uses a different system to the one you’re used to, are you willing to learn? I didn’t like R4 so quit a practice because of this. I much preferred SOE and Dentally.

  • Is there potential for private work and what is the split?

It’s not always 50/50! Many practices advertise that they do more private work than they actually do so try and gauge what the balance of work is in reality!

  • What is the split for lab bills?

In my experience it is usually 50/50 but it’s worth checking.

  • Are you taking over an established list of patients, or are you going to develop your own list?

Some practices may be opening a new surgery and expect you to start a new list. If you are starting a new list with new patients, expect a lot of stabilisation treatment. Are you willing to do this?

  • How busy is the practice?

When going to visit, check how busy the diary looks for everyone, especially if you are taking over from another practitioner. Check at least three months in the past, and three months in the future. If it’s looking empty, or not busy enough for you, it really won’t magically fill-up once you join!

  • What kind of X-ray system do they have?

Most practices should be digital. Do they have a scanner? Is there a camera for everyone to use? Do they have an OPG machine (a panoramic X-ray machine)? Do they have a CBCT machine (a Cone Beam Computed Tomography machine)? Are these things you would like access to?

  • Is there a dedicated practice manager or treatment co-ordinator (TCO)?

Some practices don’t have one, and from my experience they don’t run as well. A TCO can be very useful especially if you are wanting to do more private work.

  • How will you be paid?

It may be based on activity, which means how many UDAs you do in the payment schedules. Or it may be in twelfths, which is when your total number of UDAs x UDA rate is divided by 12 months, and you receive payment more like a salary. Some people prefer one or the other.

  • What decontamination system do they use?

It’s a good idea to gain a basic understanding of how decontamination should work in a practice and check how it runs in your potential practice.

  • Ensure you check your contract very carefully before signing

DDU and DP offer contract checking services, but also get it checked out by other experienced dentists you may have around you. Things to really look out for include notice periods and retention fees.

Finding your first job as an Associate Dentist can be daunting, but if you find the right practice, it will really help you develop and upskill so that you can do the dentistry you want to do. And if you end up in a practice you don’t like, it is not the end of the world, you can always leave and start the search again, as I have done more than once already. Ultimately you need to make sure you’re in a practice you are happy at, with a team you enjoy working with, doing the thing that makes you want to get out of bed every day!

Read my blog Getting your first job as an Associate Dentist: preparing a successful application for tips on applying for dental jobs.

Author bio

“I Graduated from University of Manchester in 2023, completed my FD Training in the Greater Manchester North Scheme and am now an Associate Dentist in Greater Manchester. I’m also a NextGen Ambassador for the College of General Dentistry. I am currently undertaking a Masters in Prosthodontics at UCLAN and have interests in Implants and also dental education. Outside of work, I enjoy running and 5-a-side football.”

Dr Choudhury Rahman

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The formation of the FGDP: the problematic ‘UK’ suffix

Stephen Rear MBE FCGDent (Founding Dean of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners) and Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (Founding President Emeritus of the College of General Dentistry) recall the problematic issue of the adoption by the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners of a ‘UK’ suffix while being hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Stephen Rear MBE FCGDent (left) and Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent (right)

Background

From the outset FGDP was conceived to be a UK-wide body, with the intention to become an independent college within a few years of formation. It was proposed, as an interim arrangement en route to becoming an independent college, that the Faculty, while hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of England, be an intercollegiate faculty of the three Royal Surgical Colleges – the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow, each having equal representation on the Board of the Faculty, i.e., the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners of the Royal Surgical Colleges of England, Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Royal Surgical Colleges were, however, opposed to the concept of an intercollegiate faculty at the time, both for legal reasons and not wishing to invite a flood of proposals for intercollegiate faculties in every surgical specialty, which could threaten the fiercely defended independence of the three Royal Surgical Colleges. This posed a problem for FGDP, which wished to be identified as a UK-wide organisation, providing a collegiate home for all general dental practitioners (GDPs), including GDPs in Scotland who may have had some affiliation, loyalty or simply affection for one of the Royal Surgical Colleges based in Scotland. The solution was to accede to the demand of the Independent College – proposed College of General Dental Practitioners, Group1 to  add a ‘UK’ suffix to the name of the Faculty – Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK), and, in addition, to plan to hold educational and diploma ceremony events across the UK, specifically in Scotland. As explained in this historic note, the decision to adopt a ‘UK’ suffix proved problematical.

Problems

When approached, the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland objected vehemently to FGDP, as a part of the Royal College of Surgeons of England adopting, a ‘UK’ suffix – both the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland considering themselves to have UK-wide roles and responsibilities extending to primary care dentistry. The Privy Council declined to take a position on the matter, suggesting faults on both sides of the argument for and against the adoption of the suffix. And the General Dental Council (GDC), in granting general recognition to the Faculty’s Diploma in General Dental Practice (DGDP) determined, in accordance with the GDC’s standard usage, that the abbreviation to designate the diploma would be ‘DGDP RCS Eng’, i.e., with no reference to the Faculty, let alone the use of a ‘UK’ suffix.

Diplomacy

Voluminous correspondence then ensued through last quarter of 1992 and first quarter of 1993, involving, amongst others, Stephen Rear, the founding Dean of FGDP and driving force behind the initiative, the Presidents and then Deans of the Faculties of Dental Surgery of the three Royal Surgical Colleges, and Sir David Mason CBE, the then President of the GDC. This correspondence and concurrent discussions culminated in the matter being discussed at a meeting of Joint Surgical Colleges in Dublin in April 1994. At this meeting, the Royal Surgical Colleges agreed not to oppose the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP, but grudgingly, given the view of the Royal Surgical Colleges based in Scotland that the use of the suffix would cause irritation until either the FGDP realised its ambition to become a free-standing College, or the use of the suffix was discontinued. If the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland had known that FGDP(UK) would continue to exist until 2021, rather than become a free-standing college within a matter of a few years, they may have been less inclined to agree to the adoption of the suffix by the Faculty.

Subsequent developments

Despite the Royal Surgical Colleges in Scotland nursing their irritation over the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP, they agreed to provide observers to serve on the Board of the Faculty, made their facilities available to FGDP(UK) for educational purposes – examinations, courses and, in the case of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh a FGDP(UK) diploma ceremony. Also, the Dental Deans of the Royal Surgical Colleges invited the Dean of FGDP(UK) to join meetings of the Joint Meeting of Dental Faculties (JMDF).

Over time, whatever irritation was caused by FGDP adopting the ‘UK’ suffix, subsided and faded away.  And when, FGDP(UK) finally separated from the Royal College of Surgeons of England to meld into the newly formed College, intended Royal College of General Dentistry, the use of the ‘UK’ suffix, together with the Faculty, became a matter of history.

Concluding remarks

The hard won, albeit begrudged acceptance of the adoption of the ‘UK’ suffix by FGDP was important to the Faculty in promoting and maintaining a UK-wide presence and influence during its extended relationship with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This extended relationship included a failed attempt to combine FGDP(UK) with the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and restructuring arrangements by the host Royal College of Surgeons of England, which eroded the independence of FGDP(UK). This erosion of independence made the eventual separation of the Faculty from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and the formation of the College of General Dentistry all the more difficult – a matter for a subsequent paper.

    This article was originally published in the Dental Historian, the journal of the Lindsay Society, a membership organisation which promotes interest, study and research into the history of dentistry and brings together people who share these interests. It is re-published here with the kind permission of the Editor. The version of record (‘Formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice: the problematic ‘UK’ suffix’) is available in the Dental Historian, volume 70 (2025), issue 2.

    The authors are most grateful to Dr Edgar Gordon FCGDent for reviewing this note to confirm the accuracy of its contents.

    The most recent account of the formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice, originally the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (‘The history of the College of General Dentistry: The formation of the Faculty of General Dental Practice’), was written by Dr Ario Santini FCGDent, Dr Edgar Gordon FCGDent and Prof Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent and was published in the Dental Historian in 2024 (volume 69, issue 2).

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    College of General Dentistry Blog

    Our Coat of Arms: an encapsulation of the College’s ethos and aspirations

    Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, President Emeritus of the College, describes the symbolism and meaning behind each of the heraldic elements in the College’s newly-granted Coat of Arms.

    Sir Nairn with the Grant of Arms presented to the College on 19 May 2025

    A Grant of Arms is a formal recognition bestowed by the official heraldic authority, the College of Arms, and symbolises legitimacy and identity. Dating back centuries, grants of arms are typically conferred upon those organisations and individuals which meet established criteria of permanence, achievement, and contribution in their respective fields, and the College (intended Royal College) of General Dentistry has recently been so honoured.

    The process leading up to the Grant of Arms involved the design of an ‘Armorial Achievement’ – colloquially known as a Coat of Arms – which includes various heraldic elements such as a shield, crest and motto, each imbued with symbolic meaning. These elements collectively encapsulate the ethos and aspirations of the organisation.

    The Armorial Achievement (Coat of Arms) of the College of General Dentistry

    The shield – the centrepiece of the heraldic achievement – has a blue background (field). The central feature of the shield is a golden pelican ‘in her piety’ – feeding a brood of three chicks in a nest, with the chicks pecking and wounding their mother’s breast, anxious to be fed. The principal meaning evoked by the pelican is caring: first and foremost for patients, secondly for early career oral healthcare professionals and students, and thirdly for the moral compass of the profession – hence the three chicks.

    The pelican is surmounted by a golden band (‘chief’) displaying three snakes, each knotted (‘nowy’). The knotted snakes symbolise unity within the profession, unity with other health professions and unity of purpose in healthcare, emphasising the importance of oral health to general health and wellbeing. Together the pelican and snakes symbolise trust and reliance.

    The crest on top of the helm features the upper half of an ‘opinicus’, resting its right (‘dexter’) foreleg on a giant pearl. The traditional opinicus, derived from the crest of the Company of Barber Surgeons, which was incorporated in 1462, is a symbol of influence, and of strength in diversity and inclusivity within the College. The pearl signifies wisdom in the art and science of dentistry. The opinicus, rarely included in heraldic achievements, resembles a dragon in the forepart and in the wings, with a beaked head and ears similar to those of a griffin. The hind part and the legs resemble those of a lion. The tail is similar to that of a bear.

    The mantling around the shield and helm displays the livery colours of the College – azure blue and gold.

    Below the shield sits the College motto: Sanitate oris venit fortitudo – Strength through oral health – strength for patients and strength for the profession.

    The College of General Dentistry badge

    The badge of the College is a proud and bold opinicus in College blue and rampant posture (standing on one hind foot in profile, with raised wings and tail), holding the giant pearl of wisdom, as featured in the crest of the Arms, between its clawed forepaws.

    The Grant of Arms adds to the legitimacy of the College, which is now firmly part of the healthcare establishment, and is considered to be an important step towards eligibility for the granting of a Royal Charter – a priority for the College in its further growth and development. The College is only the ninth dental organisation in the UK, Australia or New Zealand to have receive a Grant of Arms, and will now start making use of its Arms and badge in, for example, a re-design of diploma certificates and the introduction of College regalia.

    The full text of the Grant of Arms can be read here.

    This abridged article is presented with the kind permission of the Dental Historian, the journal of the Lindsay Society, a membership organisation which promotes interest, study and research into the history of dentistry and brings together people who share these interests.

    The version of record (‘Making history: The grant of arms to the College of General Dentistry’) is available in the Dental Historian, volume 70 (2025), issue 2.

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