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DCT Study Days

DCT 1

There will be 28 Study Days over the course of the training year, organised by the DCT1 TPDs. The study days are designed to help you develop all the necessary skills and knowledge required for successful clinical practice. The majority of the courses are based at Postgraduate Centres in local hospitals, but some days may be held at other venues, online, or combined with other schemes. Days will often begin with a problem-solving opportunity where problems of any nature may be openly discussed with your peers and Training Programme Director. Study days will be a mixture of theory-based lectures, discussions and practical, hands-on sessions. Your full participation is required for their success.

DCT1 Trainees will also have 2 days for self-directed study. These days will be scheduled into the DCT1 study day timetable however may be changed with agreement from TPD and ES. These self-directed study days are intended to follow learning objectives identified within Trainees’ personal development plans and evidence of activity on these days should be recorded in the e-portfolio.

DCT2/DCT3

DCT2 and DCT3 Trainees will follow the same curriculum as the DCT1 Trainees however they are required to demonstrate greater competency levels.

DCT2 and DCT3 Trainees have a small number of structured study day sessions to attend that are organised by the Training Programme Directors. In total DCT2 and DCT3 Trainees are entitled to 30 study days per year as part of their training and development and these days should be discussed and agreed with their TPDs, educational supervisors and clinical managers. DCT2 and DCT3 Trainees also have a study allowance of £600 per year. Under the Single Lead Employer contract, Trainees will need to liaise with their Educational Supervisor regarding requests for study leave and to utilise their study allowance.

It is common for Trainees to agree the course or training with their Educational Supervisor as part of their personal development plan (PDP) and then pay for the course or training themselves before claiming the monies back using the Assure expenses system. Claims for reimbursement of the £600 study allowance will be approved by the hosting health board. Claims for reimbursement of other expenses e.g. Travel to study days (where relevant/ applicable) will be approved by the scheme administrator.

Attendance

As part of your mandatory outcomes, you are expected to actively participate in all aspects of your training and make the most of the learning opportunities available to you. Attendance at all study days organised by your scheme is strongly recommended. Limited engagement or poor attendance throughout the year will impact your ability to successfully complete Dental Core Training.

A record of attendance is kept and verifiable CPD certificates can be downloaded by Trainees from the online course management system Y Ty Dysgu.

You should not take annual leave on a study day.

Please car-share where possible.

If you are sick on a Study Day, please telephone your Training Programme Director by 9am.

Punctuality

The start time is indicated in the programme; please remember that you will be expected to be present in advance of this time. If you arrive late, you may be excluded from the course for that day. 

Dress Code and Behaviour 

Professional standards of dress are expected at study days and away days/ conferences. Clothing should be appropriate for the environment.

Politeness and respect for colleagues, administrative and other staff and the general public who may be present at the venue is an absolute requirement. Mobile devices such as tablets and laptops may be used to take notes only. Using these devices for anything else may result in you being asked to leave. It is not acceptable to use mobile phones at all during the educational aspects of the day-release programme and these should be switched off or on silent, except during break times.

Travel Expenses
  • DCT-1: Trainees can claim travel expenses for attending study days organised by their training scheme these expenses are approved by the scheme administrator.
  • DCT2/ DCT3: Trainees can claim travel expenses for attending study days organised by their training scheme these expenses are approved by the scheme administrator. For independently arranged courses or CPD events, travel costs must be covered from the £600 study budget. These must be agreed in advance with your Educational Supervisor and local unit when requesting the study leave and these expenses are approved by the hosting health board.

All trainee expenses should be claimed by the Assure expenses platform which can be accessed via mobile phones or by logging in online. Shared Services will provide Trainees with their log in details to access the Assure platform.