2022 – FDS launches a new committee for SAS dentists

The SAS grade and locally employed dentists represent more than 20% of the NHS Dental Workforce, and many of them are members of FDS. The education and continued professional development of this skilled and loyal group of dentists has a significant impact on the services provided to patients and their oral health. In RCS England, the SAS Doctors and Dentists are represented by SAS Forum within and outside the college. In April 2021, the Joint Surgical Committee meeting (JCSM) of all surgical colleges approved a proposal to create an intercollegiate SAS Education Committee that was subsequently launched in October 2021. However, this committee did not include SAS dentists. The SAS Forum at RCS England identified this gap for SAS Dentists and proposed the creation of an equivalent SAS Dentist Education Committee in its SAS Strategy.

In response to the SAS Strategy and RCS England Five Year strategy, the FDS Board lead by FDS Dean gave its support to the launch of the SAS Dentist Educational Committee. This committee will be responsible for creating a platform for SAS dentists to contribute to the mission of the Faculty and the College, by supporting the educational and career progression needs of the SAS grade.

This new committee will meet three times per year, working with other FDS committees and the wider SAS Forum, and coordinating the educational activities of FDS relevant to the SAS dentist.

The committee is chaired by the SAS invited member to FDS Board, who will report to FDS Board meetings, thereby giving a voice to the new committee and the SAS grade dentists that it represents.

Committee members have been recruited following a call for applications from any SAS grade dentists. Membership of this committee is not restricted to FDS Fellows and Members only.

The aims of the committee are:

• To contribute to the Faculty Board discussion, highlighting issues and activities related to the education and career development of SAS and locally employed Dentists (LEDs).
• To work with the SAS Forum and contribute to the delivery of RCS England SAS strategy.
• To maintain a strong network of SAS representatives from all dental specialties to ensure support for SAS dentists on issues related to their education, career development and progression.
• To work with FDS Board/Dental Specialty Associations/Dental Societies for career advice and mentor training.
• To work with the intercollegiate Joint Committee for Postgraduate Training in Dentistry (JCPTD) for analysis and interpretation of the curriculum from the perspective of SAS/LED.
• To liaise with all appropriate bodies for advice and support.
• To contribute to discussions on the development of learning and assessment tools specific to SAS Dentists.
• To with external stakeholders e.g., GDC, BDA, BMA, CCHDS for issues relevant to career progression of SAS dentists.