The Dental Trainees’ Committee is comprised of 18 trainees from Undergraduate level up to post CCST across a range of specialities within the UK. The aim of the Committee is to provide a voice to all dental trainees and help facilitate solutions to issues.
As a Committee we have the opportunity to liaise with wider committees, organisations and groups regarding trainee related issues, both within the college and elsewhere. We are developing a Buddy Scheme for dental trainees, we are involved in the development of educational events for dental trainees, liaise with the medical and surgical Trainees’ Committee on common issues and provide trainee insight to the College on additional wider dental and college issues.
Areas of activity
The committee has made significant contributions to a number of areas, most recently including:
- Liaison with the Post Graduate Dental Deans regarding variation in dental trainee pay
- Apparent variation in ARCP requirements between deaneries
- Variation in study leave support for dental trainees across the UK nations and training specialties
It has been a successful year for our young dentists who are enthusiastically active within the College, for example our Dental Trainee's Committee, which is formed of young dentists from all stages of training. Meetings with postgraduate deanery colleagues in the Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in Dentistry to confirm that Oral Surgery and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery will be considered as two separate dental specialties when applying to specialty training, is just one example of how the Dental Trainee's Committee is working hard to represent the needs and views of dentists early in their careers.
How do I get involved?
The Dental Trainees’ Committee members are elected for a period of two years, unless they finish training within this time. If you are interested in getting involved with the Dental Trainees' Committee please contact dentaltrainees@rcpsg.ac.uk.
Buddy Scheme
The Dental Buddy Scheme aims to provide Junior UK Dental Trainees with a senior ‘Buddy’ at specialty Training level who will be available for informal near-peer support and advice and to create a sense of belonging within the trainee dental community.
A Senior Buddy will normally be responsible for 1-2 Junior Buddies and the scheme is entirely flexible. Pairs can meet as often as they like, in person, via Zoom/Teams, or simply via phone/email/WhatsApp communication if preferred.
The aim is for the relationship to be an informal source of support from someone unrelated to the trainee formal supervision structure. Topics of discussion can be dictated by the needs of the Junior Buddies but have previously included advice regarding placements, CV writing and interview preparation.
Registrations for the scheme are expected to close on Friday 1 December 2023 for the next intake of Buddys, both Junior and Senior.
Benefits for the Junior Buddy
- Having an ‘older sibling’ who can be contacted for support and advice.
- Avoid the feeling of being lost in a large training programme.
- Developing a personal sense of belonging as a UK dental trainee.
Benefits for the Senior Buddy
- Introduction to the role of educational supervisor.
- Development of coaching / leadership / management skills, supported by educational seminars at the College.
- Certificates of participation will be awarded.
Please contact dentaltrainees@rcpsg.ac.uk to find out more.
Meet the Dental Trainees' Committee
Stephen Robert Magill
I'm currently a Vocational Dental Practitioner in Glasgow. I studied medicine before dentistry and still continue to work in hospitals. I’ve been a member of the college since 2014 and I am Chair of the newly formed Dental Trainees Committee. I am married to Caitriona, love the outdoors, and believe exercise is the worlds best medicine.
What matters to you?
My wife, family and friends. Collaborative team working. Continued professional development to ensure optimal patient care.
What motivates you?
I have met some inspiring people throughout all stages of my training who have all helped shape my career to date in various ways. The value of having supportive colleagues cannot be underestimated.
Rosie May-Bennett
My name is Rosie and I am a 4th year dental student studying at Cardiff University. I enjoy a variety of activities outside of my studies including Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing, running, swimming and cycling. I am part of Cardiff Medics' Ladies Hockey Club, Cardiff University Triathlon Club and play the flute in Cardiff Healthcare Music Society's orchestra, which I am also the President of. Most importantly though, I always look forward to spending time relaxing with friends and family!
What matters to you?
Well-being seems to be a hot topic at the moment, and rightly so in my opinion! I feel that it is very easy to neglect ourselves of rest and self-care, or feel that we 'haven't earned it'. Reminding people that it's okay to say no, or that they're allowed to have some 'me time' is such a simple action, which can make such a difference to someone yet is often overlooked. Maintaining both a physically and mentally balanced lifestyle is so crucially important and is something that I am really passionate about.
What motivates you?
It was my own journey as a patient that opened my eyes to a career in dentistry! I had some fairly extensive orthodontic work carried out as a teenager and during the course of my treatment, I realised just how low my self-confidence had been previously. It is the knowledge that dentistry can help to improve not only people's dental health but mental health too that really drives me in my studies.
Amandeep Kaur Bains
Having graduated from King's College, London in 2016, I have gone on to complete a number of training posts in fields such as Restorative dentistry, Special care dentistry, Community Dental Services, Oral Surgery and OMFS including Cleft Lip and Palate. This has involved living in multiple cities across England and Scotland. Recently, I have started my specialist training in Orthodontics at New Cross Hospital and Birmingham Dental Hospital. I am excited to be apart of the Dental Trainees' committee, as well as the Wellbeing subgroup, to help as many trainees as possible navigate through their crucial early training years.
Mark David Gribben
I am a current Dental Core Trainee (DCT2) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and have previously gained experience in DCT1 at Dundee Dental Hospital in Oral Surgery, Paediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, and the Public Dental Service in NHS Tayside. I have also gained a wide range of skills during my time as a General Dental Practitioner across a number of practices in Scotland and Wales, since graduating from Dundee Dental Hospital and School in 2014. This has allowed me to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the work undertaken in primary and secondary care, and the patient's journey through these services in the UK. I have also recently completed a Masters in Law (LLM) in Healthcare, Law, and Ethics, a growing field which has always spurred my interest.
What matters to you?
I am a keen supporter of my colleagues within the dental and wider healthcare professions, and always strive to ensure that support is available for those who may need it. This has allowed me to move into further training in Dental Core Training, to gain as much experience in various fields of Dentistry in the UK, to better support my colleagues in all walks of life. I have also joined the College Dental Trainee's Working Group, to act as a voice for my fellow dental trainees, and communicate any concerns or matters with my fellow trainees and the College.
I also look to always strive for the best possible outcomes for patients and dental services. This comes through the development of my own professional skills, but also through quality improvement projects to help develop the service provided.What motivates you?
My motivation is the knowledge that everything can be done better. As a current dental trainee, I know that my clinical skills and academic knowledge can always be improved, however across healthcare, research and development is always advancing and bringing new methods and treatments to the fore. It is within this ever changing environment that I hope to continue my lifelong learning, and advocate for my fellow professionals.
Nicola Layne Cloney
I am a Specialty Trainee Registrar in Special Care Dentistry in South Yorkshire. I treat adults with additional needs, learning disabilities, phobias and complex medical conditions.
Gabriele Baniulyte
I'm an Academic Clinical Fellow in Oral Surgery, currently working in Exeter and Plymouth.
Katharine Mary Jessie Dunn
I am a clinical research fellow at the University of Dundee working on the SCRiPT and PIP randomised controlled trials based in primary care.
What matters to you?
I am passionate about restorative dentistry and I hope to obtain a specialty training post in the near future. I have an interest in education and wellbeing within the workforce, and I hope to pursue these interests alongside my clinical responsibilities throughout my career.
What motivates you?
I want to be the best dentists I can possibly be. Personally I feel a quality assured training program would help me to reach my full potential. I want to provide the best care I can to my patients individually, as well as making a difference to patient care at an organisational level.
Jennifer Dorothy Rae
I am currently a Post-CCST in Orthodontics at Glasgow Dental Hospital. Prior to this I completed my StR orthodontic training at Newcastle Dental Hospital.
Gursimar Sekhon
Graduated from University of Birmingham in 2018 before training up in the beautiful Welsh Valleys for Dental Foundation Training. After this, I came back to my home town in Southampton to complete Dental Core Training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Since this post, I have been working as a general dental practitioner in a mixed NHS/private practice in Southampton and Winchester. This has been an enjoyable experience so far and I am truly excited to see what the future holds for me!