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Revalidation of general dental practitioners in Scotland: the results of a pilot study. Part 1--feasibility of operation.

Maidment YG, Rennie JS, Thomas M

University of Edinburgh, Postgraduate Dental Institute, 4th Floor Lauriston Building, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH10 5NG. yannmaidment@blueyonder.co.uk

AIM: To devise and operate a pilot scheme of revalidation for general dental practitioners. METHOD: A representative group of dental practitioners was convened to advise on an approach to piloting revalidation. Ten general dental practitioners volunteered and completed portfolios of evidence of fitness to practise. The portfolios were assessed by a panel of three calibrated experts, using a specially developed assessment tool. A single decision "evidence presented allowed revalidation to be recommended" was made. A timesheet was used to record the time spent producing the portfolio. RESULTS: Eight portfolios were assessed as sufficient for revalidation purposes. Two dentists were required to make supplementary submissions of evidence before they were found to be acceptable. An average of eight hours of dentist time and six hours of delegated time was spent producing the portfolios. CONCLUSIONS: The small number of dentists in this pilot were able to use the portfolio satisfactorily. The dentists were all volunteers and so may not necessarily be fully representative of the profession. The time spent completing the portfolio was not considered excessive. The assessors were adequately prepared and calibrated for their work.

Published 11 April 2006 in Br Dent J, 200(7): 399-402, discussion 389.
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