CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Dentists

The CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees is open to Dentists and Dental Therapists who are undertaking Dental Foundation Training, Dental Vocational Training or Joint Dental Foundation Core Training, or who are in their first year of qualification in the UK or Ireland.

The Award recognises clinical skills and patient care and offers all eligible dental professionals the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in restorative dentistry, so they can provide the best care for their patients.

Enter pre-op photos by Friday 20 February 2026

It is essential that you read the award entry guidance and watch our clinical photography support video before entering your pre-op photos.

“The competition was a rewarding experience that strengthened my clinical skills and boosted my confidence.”

The prize

14 successful candidates will each receive a fully funded place on a two-day composite layering course at GC’s Education Campus in Belgium, which takes place on 23 & 24 July 2026. The prize is worth around £1,400 per place and includes international travel, hotel accommodation and meals*. Watch interviews with award winners.

How to enter

To enter, submit a restorative case that you are about to start treating. The case must involve more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, and include the use of composite to restore teeth.

4 steps:

1. register a free online subscriber account or sign in to your existing account
2. complete both parts of our online entry form and attach pre-op case photos. You will need to gain permission from your patient, ES and TPD to enter.
3. carry out your treatment
4. submit your final case
   

We are accepting a maximum of 125 entries on a first-come, first-served basis.

View successful cases from the 2024/25 and 2023/24 awards

“It was a thoroughly rewarding experience, regardless of the outcome I learned a lot about composites by taking part and preparing my case.”

Before selecting your case and entering the award, it is essential that you read the full entry guidance, which details types of eligible cases and how to present your case.

The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation has produced a short video with hints and tips to support the development of your clinical photography skills. We strongly recommend that you watch the video to aid your entry.

To enter the award, submit your pre-op photos here by Friday 20 February 2026.

“The competition helped me develop my reflective skills in relation to my own clinical work, and encouraged me to take the initiative to get feedback from colleagues to strive for improvement.”

If you have any queries about the CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees, please email us at [email protected]

Successful candidates

Entries will be assessed and scored based on the clinical skills and reflective skills demonstrated in each case. The 14 highest scoring entrants will each be awarded a fully funded place on the two-day composite layering course. Entries are assessed by a panel of judges which comprises Trustees of the Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation and suitably qualified members of the College.

There may be the opportunity for successful candidates to attend the College’s Summer Fellows’ Reception to recognise their achievement.

Composite layering course

Those who are successful in the competition each receive a fully-funded place on a two-day composite layering course at GC’s Education Campus in Leuven, Belgium. Travel costs, hotel accommodation, and subsistence are included in the prize.

“The composite course was invaluable and I know it will help me in my future dentistry.”

The course is carefully tailored to meet the experience and skills of the participants. Delivered through a combination of lectures, demos and hands-on sessions, the course itinerary covers:

• Colour perception for recreating natural looking anterior direct restorations
• Using a detailed layering technique with only inside and outside shades in a Class IV
• Dealing with the challenging situation of masking a strong discoloration with a direct veneer
• Finishing and polishing protocols
• Injection Moulding Technique (IMT) – principles, indications and clinical guideline
• Treating posterior and anterior tooth wear with IMT
• Extending the limits of a direct Cl II restoration with a fibre reinforced and a high-filled injectable composite

What successful candidates say

We asked successful candidates about their experience of the two-day composite layering course – tap the images below to watch the interviews.

“Invaluable knowledge from the teaching clinician who provided amazing feedback and useful tips and tricks.”

“I now have more confidence doing aesthetic composite restorations, and have developed a greater understanding of composite materials and indications.“

“I’ve learned so much about layering techniques for composite, the different materials we were given the opportunity to use, as well as clinical indications for each technique we practised.”

“The composite layering course showed me many skills that I’ll carry with me throughout my career.“

Award organisers

For updates about the CGDent and GC Award for Foundation Trainees follow us on Instagram @CGDentYoungDental

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