Dental Students Call for More Training Places for UK Graduates
Two dental graduates have received the backing of their Local Dental Committee after calling for more Foundation Training places for UK graduate dentists.
Addressing the committee at their recent conference, Tom Howe, a recent graduate, received a standing ovation when he said that the UK needs to start looking after its dentists, especially as it costs taxpayers around £230,000 to train just one dentist. Howe said that there were a large number of dentists who had failed to secure a training place, even though European graduates had managed to secure a place in the UK. Howe said that the system should be changed to protect UK dentists and the investment of UK taxpayers.
Howe asked why were there not enough places for UK dentists and also why European dentists were allowed to work in the UK without an NHS number, while dentists who had studies in the UK were obliged to get an NHS number on the completion of a training job to be allowed to work in the UK.
Alex Ha, another recent graduate, echoed Tom’s concerns; he was unable to get a training post for the coming year and he said that the recruitment process was convoluted and also raised the issue that he was forced to pay £10 to get feedback on why his application was unsuccessful.
John Milne, chair of the British Dental Association’s General Dental Practice, said that all students who are good enough to graduate should be good enough to be offered a training contract, a statement that was met with applause.
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