We are pleased to share an important update to the Developing the Dental Educators (DDE) course, designed to better support the evolving needs of dental educators and educational supervisors across the profession.

To provide greater flexibility and targeted learning, the DDE course will now be delivered as four standalone modules, each focusing on a key area of dental education:

1. Assessment and Portfolios
   Explore the structure and expectations of the Dental Foundation Training (DFT) portfolio, including effective assessment strategies and the induction process for new trainees.
2. Adult Learning and Tutorials
   Gain insights into adult learning theory and how to apply it in tutorial settings to foster meaningful, learner-centred educational experiences.
3. Reflection, Feedback and Teaching practice
   Develop skills in delivering constructive feedback and practice microteaching techniques to enhance your confidence and effectiveness as an educator.
4. Supporting the trainee through training
   This module focuses on recognising and managing issues that affect trainees' progress. It focuses on early recognition, appropriate support strategies and escalation pathways, promoting a compassionate and consistent approach to trainee welfare.

    

Learn how to identify, support, and manage trainees who may be struggling, with a focus on early intervention and appropriate escalation pathways.

Participation Requirements:

• Prospective  applicant DFT Educational Supervisors are required to complete all four modules as part of their preparation.
• Other dental educators (including IMPs) are encouraged to select the modules specified by their Health Board Dental Practice Advisor to support the mentoring of their conditionally included mentee.

We believe this modular approach will significantly improve the accessibility, relevance, and impact of the course, allowing participants to engage with content that is directly applicable to their educational practice.

Dates of the next course:

September 2026

15 September 2026    Assessment and Portfolios – via MS Teams

23 September 2026    Adult learning and tutorials – HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

24 September 2026    Reflection, feedback and teaching practice – HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

25 September 2026    Supporting the trainee through training - HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

February 2027

16 February 2027        Assessment and Portfolios – via MS Teams

24 February 2027        Adult learning and tutorials – HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

25 February 2027        Reflection, feedback and teaching practice – HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

26 February 2027        Supporting the trainee through training - HEIW, Ty Dysgu, Nantgarw

If you would like to book a place, please contact Emma Lloyd: emma.lloyd22@wales.nhs.uk

Developing Dental Educators Refresher course (DDER)

HEIW recognise that we need to be ensuring the knowledge and tools to help Educational Supervisors (ESs) become confident and excellent mentors should be revisited and updated on a regular basis. ESs will receive 2 sessions towards their ES sessional commitments for attending the session.  Further information regarding this session will be made available soon.

Dates for DDER 1 day course:

• 19 March 2026 - HEIW, Ty Dysgu
• 03 November 2026 - Wrexham Medical Institute, North Wales