Course Detail
The Specialist Fellowship in Orthodontics (#Forth) introduces a comprehensive and collaborative training system, supported by key entities committed to ensuring high-quality education for orthodontic specialists. This innovative system brings together several important stakeholders:
1. *The Royal Colleges of Dentistry*: The four Royal Colleges—The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (#RCSEd), The Royal College of Surgeons of England (#RCSEng), The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (#RCSI), and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow (#RCPSG)—work collaboratively to develop, implement, and oversee the fellowship system, including the organization of specialty exams and the certification process.
2. *General Dental Council (#GDC)*: As the regulatory body, the GDC ensures the maintenance of high standards for specialty training. It is responsible for accrediting curricula, overseeing the quality of education, and approving trainees for inclusion in the specialty registers once training criteria are met.
3. *Specialty Advisory Committees (#SACs)*: These committees oversee the development of specialty curricula, guide workplace-based assessments (WBAs), and support evaluation processes. Their collaboration with the Royal Colleges ensures that curricula align with GDC standards.
4. *COPDEND (Council of Deans and Directors of Postgraduate Dental Education)*: COPDEND plays an integral role in managing specialist training and overseeing assessments, particularly Annual Progress Reviews (RCP). It helps ensure the smooth implementation of curricula and the assessment processes.
5. *Health Training Bodies in the UK*: These include NHS England Workforce Training and Education (NHSE WT&E), NHS Education for Scotland (NES), Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), and the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA). These bodies are responsible for delivering training programs across different regions of the UK, ensuring that regional healthcare needs are met.
6. *Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in Dentistry (#JCPTD)*: This body develops specialty curricula, administers exams, and provides the General Dental Council with recommendations on specialty training matters.
### Key Features of the New System:
- *Clinical Training Program*: The program spans three years, providing an intensive, structured clinical training experience.
- *Credit Hours*: Trainees will accumulate approximately 4,500 credit hours, encompassing theoretical coursework, workshops, and clinical practice.
- *Case Treatment Requirements*: Each candidate will treat between 20 to 25 severely complex cases, and receive training to manage up to 100 cases in total.
- *Examination Requirements*: Candidates must successfully pass the Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS) exam. We are committed to supporting candidates in passing this exam.
### New Exam Format:
The fellowship exam will consist of:
- *Part A*: Multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
- *Part B*: Unseen clinical cases, mechanics-related cases, and a viva voce component.
The new system will be fully operational starting in 2026. This collaborative approach ensures that the training process meets the highest standards, offering orthodontic specialists a comprehensive and robust education that prepares them for successful careers in their field.
