College of General Dentistry launches Professional Framework for dental careers

Aimed at providing recognition of professional development and promoting job satisfaction and workforce retention, Career Pathways in Dentistry: Professional Framework sets out the knowledge, skills and other attributes which define each of five career stages – safe, capable, experienced, enhanced and accomplished – for each role in the primary dental care team, and for each of five domains within each stage - clinical and technical, professionalism, reflection, development, and agency.

The framework has been mapped out by four working groups – representing dentists; dental hygienists and therapists; dental nurses and orthodontic therapists; and dental and clinical dental technicians – working together through a programme board and reference group.