The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) has launched fellowships for each role in the wider dental team.
Recognising professional accomplishment in clinical and other areas of practice, the new fellowships are:
- Fellowship in Dental Nursing – FDN (CGDent)
- Fellowship in Orthodontic Therapy – FOT (CGDent)
- Fellowship in Dental Hygiene – FDH (CGDent)
- Fellowship in Dental Therapy – FDTher (CGDent)
- Fellowship in Dental Technology – FDTech (CGDent)
- Fellowship in Clinical Dental Technology – FCDT (CGDent)
CGDent is the first independent college for primary care dentistry in the UK. A professional body and registered charity serving the public interest in oral health, it is the UK’s only medical college run by and for dental professionals. Supporting development and recognition for the whole dental team, it is building on the achievements of the former Faculty of General Dental Practice (FGDP) in setting standards for general dental care, and is working towards Royal College status.
The launch of the new fellowships represents a significant advance in the professional recognition available to members of the wider dental team.
It is also the latest stage in the fulfilment of the College’s founding ambition to promote and develop the whole team, and follows the recent inauguration of Deans to lead its Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy, Faculty of Dental Hygiene & Dental Therapy and Faculty of Clinical Dental Technology & Dental Technology.
Every registered Dental Care Professional is eligible to join the College as an Associate Member. Those holding a recognised and relevant Postgraduate Certificate may join as (or upgrade to become) a Full Member (MCGDent), and those satisfying any one of the College’s five fellowship domains (see below) can qualify as an Associate Fellow (AssocFCGDent).
Eligibility for each of the six new fellowships is achieved by meeting the requirements of any two of the College’s fellowship domains. Each domain has a range of possible routes to eligibility.
A Fellow in Dental Nursing, Orthodontic Therapy, Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy, Dental Technology or Clinical Dental Technology may also become a College Fellow (FCGDent) should they meet the requirements of a third fellowship domain. Fellowship for dentists is only available in the form of College Fellowship, requiring satisfaction of three domains.
Fellows are senior members of the College, with their Fellowship marking them out as ‘Accomplished Practitioners’ on the College’s Career Pathway. Providing leadership and support to the development of dentistry, they can attend the College’s biannual Fellows’ Receptions, and have the opportunity for ceremonial admission by the President.
Reflecting their enhanced professional standing, Fellows and Associate Fellows of the College receive a reduction in their dental indemnity fees with Dental Protection. They can also enrol on a one year, part-time, distance learning MSc in General Dental Practice (which in itself satisfies the Research & Publications domain of fellowship).
All College members receive quarterly print issues of the Primary Dental Journal, the only peer-reviewed professional development journal dedicated to general dental practice, as well as free or heavily discounted access to live CPD events, study days and networking opportunities.
There is no fee for applying to become a Fellow. Dental hygienists, dental therapists, dental technicians, clinical dental technicians and orthodontic therapists all receive a one-third discount on the College’s standard membership fees. Dental nurses receive a two-thirds discount, as do retired members and overseas practitioners.
Full details of the College’s fellowship domains, and a link to apply for the relevant Fellowship, are available at cgdent.uk/fellowship-domains
