Flexibility and access to dental postgraduate speciality training

• Published in: British dental journal 2023-08, Vol.235 (3), p.211-214
• Main Authors: Tebbutt, Jessie E., Spencer, R. James, Balmer, Richard
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apprenticeship; Attitude of Health Personnel; Career Choice; Careers; Dental care; Dentistry; Education; Education, Dental, Graduate; Ethnicity; Flexibility; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Recruitment; Workforce; Workforce planning
• ISSN: 0007-0610; 1476-5373
• DOI: 10.1038/s41415-023-6079-z

Increasingly, there is a clear emphasis on the need for improved access to flexible training. This reflects changing societal attitudes and expectations towards work-life balance and increasing demand for flexible working. The recently published Advancing dental care review: final report (2021) reflects these same demands within dental postgraduate training. Increasing flexible training options has the potential for far-reaching beneficial effects for dental speciality training. There are barriers to accessing speciality training for specific applicant groups and this risks potentially excluding excellent-quality candidates from pursuing speciality training. There is opportunity in utilising and developing flexible training options to support widening access to dental speciality training. Recruitment and working pattern arrangements should reflect these aspirations, ensuring that the best trainees are successful irrespective of their personal circumstances. Key points Discusses the increasing need for flexibility within dental speciality training in England. Highlights the existence of barriers to undertaking dental speciality training. Considers solutions for developing and supporting additional flexible training options which may mitigate some of these barriers.