DSC statement to COPDEND on MSc/Dental Specialties

The Dental Schools Council (DSC) supports the continued benefit of taught elements in postgraduate training, these need to include both the science underpinning the specialty and generic skills including public health, statistics and research methodology.

Heads of dental schools emphasise the necessity of a thorough understanding of research methods and evidence-based practice to best respond to patients. The context of the current pandemic demonstrates the importance of a thorough and broad scientific understanding for specialists – knowledge of public health, medical statistics and mitigating infections became a focus for clinicians. Moreover, a deep understanding of research and research methods is vital to the development of the skills necessary for graduates to become rigorous specialists or clinical academics.

DSC is keen to engage with stakeholders on the provision of postgraduate teaching for training dentists in specialties.