08 • Careers


THE PUBLIC T


HIS is a new era for public health. That is the bold announcement made by the Department of Health in a recent government report which promised the specialty a “higher priority and


dedicated resources”. In its 2011 report, Healthy People, Healthy


Lives, the DoH sets out its vision for the dental public health (DPH) workforce in England to “increase its focus on effective health promotion and prevention of oral disease, provision of evidence-based oral care and effective dental clinical governance.”


Protecting and improving society’s oral health is at the heart of a career in dental public health


DENTIST Particular focus should be given to


improving children’s oral health, the report adds, with DPH specialists also called on to “make a vital contribution” to the new primary dental care contract prioritising preventive care. Similarly, increasing prominence has been


given to dental public health and preventive treatment in Scotland, reflected in national initiatives such as the Childsmile programme.


Entry and training Dental public health is a small specialty, defined as the “science and practice of preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health and improving


the quality of life through the organised efforts of society”. It is overseen by the General Dental Council and DPH specialists must be registered on its specialist list. The GDC approves the curriculum for specialist training and the award of the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) requires evidence of satisfactory completion of training in all the aspects of dental public health that are outlined in the curriculum. Those entering specialty training must have


at least two years’ post-qualification dental foundation training. It is helpful but not


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