Specialty Training in Dentistry

Welcome to Dental Specialty Training in Wales.

Over the past few years Dental Specialty Training has expanded considerably and the Dental Postgraduate Section of the Wales Deanery are now proud to support a variety of deanery approved training programmes across 6 Dental specialties with a total of 21 current specialty trainees.

These include:

• Additional Specialties
• Dental Public Health
• Orthodontics
• Paediatric Dentistry
• Restorative Dentistry
• Special Care Dentistry

The high standard of our Dental Specialty Training programmes are due to the dedication and commitment of our well trained team of professional educators and trainers who are equipped with the highest standard of dental equipment and facilities.

Anyone who wishes to train to be a dental specialist in one or more of the dental specialties are recommended to first complete at least two years of Foundation Training in approved posts covering at least two disciplines. At least one year in total should be spent in hospital or community practice, and each post must be occupied for a minimum of three months. The exact length specialty training will depend on the specialty in question.

All specialty trainees must register with the Director of Dental Postgraduate Education in Wales, who is responsible for monitoring the trainee's progress and the quality of training received. At this stage of training, prior to the award of a Certificate of Completion of Specialty Training (CCST), the trainee will be graded as a Specialty Training Registrar (SpR). Post CCST training (formally FTTA) opportunities are also available in certain specialties.

Once training has been satisfactorily completed, the trainee will need to pass further exams (depending on the specialty) and will become eligible for the recommendation, by the Director to the General Dental Council (GDC), for the award of a CCST which in turn should lead to their name being entered on the GDC's relevant specialist list.

If you would like any further information about undertaking your specialty training programme in Wales please contact:

Dental Postgraduate Tutor
Will McLaughlin

STC Administrator
Gabby Boyland