100 Trainee Dentists will Struggle to get NHS Job
Around 100 trainee dentists will be left without a job in the NHS as a result of a shortage of training places in the UK.
It has been revealed that there are too few training places available in the NHS and this will mean that around 100 graduates will be forced to join private practices or train abroad.
Postgraduate training is essential to be able to work in the NHS in the future, but 100 trainees will be forced to undertake private training or complete a course abroad in order to fulfil the requirement. There has been concern that competition for places has increased due to a rise in the number of foreign students applying for places on courses in the UK.
Talking to the Telegraph a dental student, who wished to remain anonymous, said that it was a waste of money opening new dental schools if there are no training jobs for dentists once they graduate.
Dr Susie Sanderson, chairman of the British Dental Association’s Executive Board, said that the current system is letting both students and taxpayers down, as there is an obvious mismatch between the number of graduates and the number of training places. She added that the issue should be considered carefully by the government.
Dr Barry Cockcroft, Chief Dental Officer, said that the vast majority of candidates were successful in getting a place but added that he expects more places to become available in the near future to cater for the increase in the number of dental graduates.
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