Download PGSoM Website proforma - West Midlands Deanery

Specialty - ORTHODONTICS
Introduction
Orthodontics is the branch of dentistry that is concerned with the development and growth of the teeth
and jaws and is involved with correcting anomalies in development when they are recognised early and
treating established dental malocclusion.
The speciality requires a thorough understanding of general dentistry as well as the application of the
knowledge on tooth development, facial growth, facial aesthetics and medical conditions that impact
upon the facial bones and soft tissues.
Specialty Attractions
Orthodontics requires an understanding of the growth and development of the head and neck: a
knowledge that is not only utilised to achieve facial harmony and a functioning dentition but also
extended to manage medical conditions such as sleep apnoea, cleft lip and palate, developmental
anomalies and facial asymmetry. Orthodontic management of complex malocclusions often means
working with clinicians from various specialties such as oral and maxillofacial surgeons, paediatric
dentists and restorative dentists which therefore requires good communication and organisational skills.
Research in orthodontics is continuously advancing with regards to the current technology in materials,
new mechanics and patient related outcomes, so that the duties of orthodontists include the ability to
critically appraise, extrapolate, and apply the research to improve the quality of care of their own
patients. Recent research studies have demonstrated that following orthodontic treatment, children
and adults gain more confidence, experience less bullying and enjoy a better quality of life.
Is (Orthodontics) the job for me?
Orthodontics is a challenging yet enormously rewarding profession. A modest cohort of patients at the
Birmingham Dental Hospital often require a combined approach with specialities from various other
branches of medicine and dentistry and therefore postgraduate trainees are introduced to a
multidisciplinary working right from the start of their training. The orthodontist or the trainee will have
ample opportunities to build upon their clinical experience through supervision of cases by various
orthodontic consultants. Members of the team also have the opportunity to strengthen their research
experience with the support of an academic and clinical supervisor. Trainees and consultants aspire to
create a caring and supportive environment in which patients are treated to the highest standards and
learning and teaching is considered the norm.
The West Midlands Training Programme (Description of Programme, how many years / how many
trainees / which hospitals are involved / what is expected of trainees throughout the training
programme / what additional experience do posts on the rotation offer?)
Postgraduate specialist training in orthodontics is a 3 year full time post which integrates research
leading to a Masters of science awarded by the University of Birmingham. The first 3 years of training
aims to give trainees a competent understanding and practical training in orthodontics and orthodontic
research as well as preparation for the Membership in Orthodontics exam in order to enter the GDC
specialist list. The following 2 years of training or Post –Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training
(CCST) builds upon the first 3 years of training and teaches skills required for a hospital consultant post
such as management of complex multidisciplinary cases, teaching of junior trainees, NHS management
and preparation for the ISFE exam.
Currently there are 10 junior post graduate trainees and 3 post-CCST who all train at the Birmingham
Dental hospital and at a district general hospital in the West Midlands. This allows the trainee to treat
patients from varying social backgrounds and learn different methods of treatment from different
consultants and work in various clinical settings in order to broaden their experience.
On-call Experience
All trainees are timetabled part of a treatment session every week to assess and manage orthodontic
emergencies. Each year, Christmas cover is the responsibility of 2nd year StRs , whilst out of hours
emergency care is managed by the Oral and Maxillofacial team at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital or
the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Correct as at 03/03/2014 - Kiran
Training Days (How are they organised / what is the frequency of them etc..)
The West Midlands orthodontic training programme has been devised to offer maximum training and
learning opportunities for the post-graduate students. Prior to commencement of clinical training, all
new trainees attend a typodont course which is held at the Birmingham dental hospital in order to
introduce basic orthodontic principles and clinical skills such as wire bending and use of fixed appliances.
A protected training day, usually a Friday, is provided on a weekly basis involving tutorials which covers
a broad range of topics over the 3 years. The first 2 years are dedicated to teaching basic principles and
practical skills and the third year concentrates on consolidating the knowledge gained in the first two
years into order to diagnose, treatment plan and manage the individual cases.
The orthodontic department of the Birmingham dental hospital is affiliated with other post-graduate
orthodontic centres in the UK north of Birmingham which collaborate to provide teaching days
throughout the training. This allows the trainee to meet their peers, network, discuss topics as well as
observe how cases are managed elsewhere.
Lunchtime tutorials led by consultants are provided on a weekly basis which permit the trainee to
present cases and further their learning.
Particular emphasis is placed upon the gaining a thorough understanding in research and therefore
journal clubs lead by post- CCST trainees are held on a monthly basis: these sessions are used to review
contemporary and key publications, appraise of the literature and give an insight into developing a
research idea and protocol.
Additional Opportunities Available – Research / Teaching / Management etc / OOP / Higher Degrees
All post-graduate trainees are required to undertake a research project leading to a Masters of science
degree awarded by the University of Birmingham and are encouraged to perform audits, oral and poster
presentations at conferences on a national or an international level as well as prepare publications.
Trainees will have a regular opportunity to teach and perform PowerPoint presentation to peers in their
tutorial group and Post-CCST trainees are required to teach undergraduate as well as post-graduate
students.
Supervision, Appraisal and Assessments (details on ARCP requirements / frequency of ES meetings)
All cases that trainees treat are supervised by a consultant. Opportunities are made available to perform
work based assessments such as case based discussions, direct observation procedures and clinical
evaluation exercise in order to enhance training. Undertaking an appraisal on a three monthly basis with
the regional consultant is encouraged and an annual review of competence progression is undertaken to
assess and address any difficulties to ensure that the trainee is gaining the level of training required to
gain competence.
Examinations (Details on any specialty specific examinations required, eg. SCE, when does it take
place / how many diets per year)
Bimonthly essays on various orthodontic topics are required to be submitted and regular written
examinations give feedback to the trainers as well as the trainees on the level of comprehension and
progression. Third year students present for the Membership in Orthodontics exam at the Royal College
of Surgeons of Edinburgh or at the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Trainees are encouraged to sit
the exam in June of the 3rd year.
Useful website links (national links to Specialty specific websites)
http://www.bos.org.uk/public-patients-home
http://www.bos.org.uk/professionals-members-home/committees-groups/groups/tgg
https://www.gdc-uk.org/Dentalprofessionals/Specialistlist/Documents/OrthodonticCurriculum.pdf
Key Contacts (who is the STC Chair / TPD / LTFT advisor / Trainee Rep etc..)
Training Programme Director = Mr P J Turner
Regional advisor to the faculty of dental surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England = Mr K
Webster
Specialty adviser in orthodontics to the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of
England = Mr R Linklater
Postgraduate Dental Dean = Mrs K Elley