Dr David Felix provides his regular update on the Faculty of Dental Surgery, including news on dental examinations and on collaborative links with Colleges of Dental Surgeons abroad
Membership in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Historically, the Faculty has delivered a Membership in Surgical Dentistry predominantly in the UK and, at the same time, has provided a Membership in Oral Surgery examination in several centres overseas (Cairo, Hong Kong and Riga).
The scope of these two examinations was quite distinct. Typically, the syllabus for the examination held overseas reflected what was regarded locally as the specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, although it is recognised that this is quite distinct from the scope of OMFS in the UK.
Changes in the UK have led to the General Dental Council’s specialist list in Surgical Dentistry being disestablished and all its registrants being absorbed onto the specialist list in Oral Surgery. The development of Oral Surgery as a distinct GDC-recognised specialty in the UK and a desire to avoid confusion has stimulated the Faculty to consider a change in the name of the examination held overseas. At a recent meeting, the College Council pledged their support to the Faculty in implementing a Diploma of Membership in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for appropriately trained overseas dental surgeons.
"Representatives from RACDS affirmed a desire to maintain strong links with the College and are keen to develop further conjoint examinations"
Diets of this examination will be held with overseas partners in appropriate centres, and full regulations will soon be available on the College website.
There are ongoing tri-collegiate negotiations about designing an appropriate Membership in Oral Surgery for UK trainees following training as set out in the curriculum for the specialty by the GDC.
Tri-collegiate Specialty Membership examinations
Discussions on developing tri-collegiate specialty membership examinations in Oral Surgery, Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry continue. The main impetus for moving towards a collaborative tri-collegiate arrangement is a reflection of the small numbers of candidates who present in each College for these examinations and a desire to ensure that the assessment process is robust. There is no doubt that negotiations have progressed slower than one might hope. However, it is anticipated that a final agreement will be reached in the near future with a view to holding the first fully tri-collegiate examination next year.
Australia
In January, during a visit to Australia I met with Dr Werner Bischof, newly-elected President of The Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and subsequently with Stephen Robbins, CEO of RACDS. I have reported previously on our successful conjoint examination in Orthodontics, which is held in Adelaide on an annual basis. Both Werner and Stephen affirmed a desire to maintain strong collaborative links with the College, and are keen to reinforce this relationship by developing further conjoint examinations in the specialties of Paediatric Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry. I am confident that these initiatives will be taken forward enthusiastically to the mutual benefit of both Colleges.
Hong Kong
During the same trip, I visited Hong Kong and met with Council members of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong. I would like to express my gratitude to Dr Roch Lee, President CDSHK, and his immediate predecessor Dr Joseph Chan for the generous hospitality extended to me during my visit. The Edinburgh College has a long-established association with CDSHK and offers a number of conjoint examinations. I am pleased to report that the College in Hong Kong is keen to embrace our new examination format in a number of specialties.
Middle East
Political turmoil in the Middle East led to the cancellation of examinations in Cairo in January and, subsequently, the following month in Bahrain. I am hopeful that once the situation settles we will be in a position to re-establish both examination centres.
Dr David Felix, Dean, Faculty of Dental Surgery
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