Column From the chairside with Alison McKenzie
Why a new diploma? I
n 1936, general practitioner Philip Grundy visualised a qualifying examination for dental surgery assistants. From 1943-1951, the exam
consisted of a three-hour written paper and additional oral exam; a practical test was included in 1952. Developed over the years, the NEBDN National Certificate is one of the qualifications approved by the General Dental Council for statutory registration. Today’s format consists of a record of experience made up of five units requiring the support and valida- tion of workplace tasks by the dentist. It also includes a case study of 1,000 to 1,500 words, the written portion including multiple choice, diagrams, short answer questions, charting, conventional questions, a spotter test and concludes with a practical/oral examination. I passed the National Certifi-
cate in 2007 and can vouch that it requires a good amount of study and the full support of a dentist. So I read with interest the details of its replacement, the NEBDN Diploma in Dental Nursing. This new modern examination
also includes a record of experi- ence and is based on a competency based curriculum. Part one is designed to test the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge and is divided into 75 multiple choice questions (MCQs) and 50 extended matching questions. Part two, the OSCEs (Objective
Structured Clinical Examinations) are designed to assess the skills, competencies, and practical appli- cation of knowledge of various clinical situations. There are 16 OSCE stations, which include two rest stations and last approxi-
mately five minutes each. They consist of either a practical or theoretical task. A candidate has two minutes to read instructions before entering the OSCE station, and as they perform the OSCE, an examiner assesses the candidate while completing a set mark sheet. The National Certificate “details
those areas of knowledge and understanding which a dental nurse needs to develop in order to be able to practise competently. Therefore much of the examination is based on the candidate being able to apply the knowledge in a practical setting” (
www.nebdn.org). If this is the case, does it need to
be replaced by the new diploma? It is right that the National
Certificate should be modernised. The length of the examination lasts a full day, a fail in one area results in a resit of the entire exam,
“I passed the National certificate in 2007 and can vouch it requires a good amount of study and the full support of a dentist”
the negative marking is an unfair system and the practical and oral tests are far too short, with too few scenarios to assess the candidate. So, what are the advantages of
the diploma? Candidates must pass part one before sitting part two, the negative marking system has been removed and there’s an introduction for single best answer type ques- tions for the MCQs. The OSCEs will take place on a separate date and its format is an improvement to the practical/oral of the National Certificate, plus the incorporated rest stations will be a welcome distraction for the candidates. The update of any examination is important, but so too is the support required from employers and one hopes that this new Diploma encourages dentists to take a more active part in the education of their trainees.
Scottish Dental magazine 21
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92