Young dentists must adapt to change
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- Published: Thursday, 20 February 2014 10:19
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Young dentists were told by Professor Andrew Eder at a recent seminar that must adapt to ensure they are providing the best care for their patients. He advised them to focus on diversity in their careers, invest in ongoing CPD and training and identify a mentor, to ensure they maintain an ethical and authentic role as a professional.
Young dentists will need to adapt and diversify to keep pace with the evolving structure of the NHS, delegates at the BDA/UCL Eastman Dental Institute’s Careers Day 2014: Opportunities for young dentists, were told. Contributing to a panel debate on the future of dentistry, Professor Andrew Eder, Associate Vice-Provost (Enterprise) at University College London, said that no new dental contract would be perfect, and warned dentists must adapt to ensure they are providing the best care for their patients. He advised that young dentists focus on diversity in their careers, invest in ongoing CPD and training and identify a mentor, to ensure they maintain an ethical and authentic role as a professional.
Responding to a question about the timescale of the implementation of a new arrangements in England, fellow panellist Barry Cockcroft, Chief Dental Officer, NHS England, said that nothing was set in stone, and that any implementation would be gradual. He also highlighted the newly-published Department of Health report, on the dental pilots encouraging young dentists to read it and get engaged.
The discussion also addressed the much-debated issue of UK graduates’ ability to secure training places, with BDA Chief Executive Peter Ward reiterating the Association’s view that it is perverse to prevent such individuals embarking on careers in the NHS.
Keynote speaker Sir Malcolm Grant CBE, Chair of NHS England, acknowledged that the NHS is under immense financial strain and must adapt to continue to be effective for the population and for taxpayers. He said that the NHS faced an acute dilemma of how to provide additional services for a population that is living longer and experiencing long-term conditions, adding that he hoped that young dentists will stay with it over the coming years.
Advice on preparing a CV, clinical demonstrations and business and finance were also on offer to delegates at the event.
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