13/01/2026 DCT Study Day 7 – Safe Practice & Career Development

Course Information

Completion Time: 6.5 Hours

Venue: Mossley Mill, 19 Carnmoney Road North, Newtownabbey, BT36 5QA

Speakers: Various

Course Description

This joint DFT/DCT Study Day brings together a wide mix of topics that support early‑career dentists as they develop their professional skills. The day covers key areas such as professionalism, communication, service structure, career pathways, wellbeing, interview skills, and personal finance. Through a series of talks from experienced clinicians and guest speakers, delegates gain a balanced view of clinical responsibilities, legal and ethical expectations, and the realities of working within different parts of the dental service. The programme also includes career stories from current specialty trainees, giving practical insight into progression routes and application processes. By the end of the day, delegates leave with a broader understanding of their professional environment and the tools they need to plan their next steps with confidence

Course Aims

• To give Dental Core Trainees a broad understanding of key professional, clinical, career, and wellbeing themes that support safe practice and early‑career development.

Course Objectives

• Understand the principles of professionalism in dentistry, including appropriate use of social media.
• Describe how a high‑street orthodontic referral service operates and the responsibilities involved.
• Gain insight into the role of the Community Dental Service and the career pathways available.
• Recognise the pressures that contribute to stress and anxiety in dentistry and know where to seek support.
• Apply effective interview techniques when preparing for future training or employment opportunities.
• Demonstrate improved understanding of essential personal finance topics relevant to early‑career dentists.
• Be aware of different career routes within dentistry through insights from specialty trainees.

Course Learning Content

The day gives trainees a clear overview of key early‑career skills. It covers professionalism and safe social media use, how an orthodontic referral service operates, and the role of the Community Dental Service. It also introduces support for stress and anxiety, practical interview skills, and the basics of personal finance. The programme ends with career journeys from specialty trainees in Restorative Dentistry and Oral Surgery, offering insight into training pathways and applications.

GDC Development Outcomes

• A B C & D

Resources

Dietary Requirements

Please advise the Dental Continuing Education Team dentalcourses.nimdta@hscni.net if you have any dietary requirements.