Belfast Dental School still on probation

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Published: Tuesday, 06 November 2012 12:40
Written by News Editor
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Belfast Dental School still on probation
Last year the General Dental Council (GDC) issued an adverse report on the dental school at Queens University Belfast. A follow-up inspection this year found that there had been ‘limited progress’ and that the BDS programme remained in a fragile state. ‘What progress there has been has taken place at a far slower pace than we had anticipated or hoped’ it noted. Another inspection will take place next year.

Some points from the GDC report

‘There remains a need to employ staff at a senior level and it is of concern that vacant Clinical Academic posts remain unfilled. Clinical teaching still relies very heavily on Clinical Teaching Fellows. Morale may have improved a little but, in general, remains low. This is particularly the case for the aspects of the programme where senior leadership is lacking.

‘It was clear that everyone is working hard to ensure students obtain the clinical experience they require and this has involved extending the length of clinical sessions, the removal of lunchtime lecture slots and the introduction of evening sessions and outreach. These changes have, with the co-operation of students and staff alike, worked well in the short-term. We are concerned, however, that these arrangements are detrimental to staff development and will not be sustainable in the medium-term.

‘We are pleased that the investment in facilities is having such a positive impact. Further new facilities which will be completed later in 2012 will no doubt continue this trend. The pilot outreach scheme has proved popular and we hope this success means that all students will have access to this opportunity in the future.

‘Communication between the School and the host trust does seem to be improving. Ways of improving communication and understanding between the School and the wider University still need to be developed and implemented and confidence in the level of commitment of the University to the Dental School is not as it should be.

‘We would like to see a more flexible, proactive, positive approach being taken to the development of the Belfast BDS programme.’

Last year’s report said:

‘There have been major changes in structures and lines of management within Queen’s University and this has had a negative effect on the autonomy of the School of Dentistry. Time for adjustment is needed and the lines of communication between senior management and those responsible for dental education have not yet proved fully effective. Staff at the School of Dentistry do not feel that they are fully in touch with evolving policies.

‘Consequently, and despite the clear dedication and commitment of staff, it was apparent to us that morale is very low. There is very poor communication between the various parties involved in the delivery of the programme and an overall lack of joined-up thinking’.

For both reports see

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Education/Pages/Dentist-qualifications.aspx

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