Natalie Bradley a Foundation Dentist

What is a level 2 practitioner?

We’ve all heard about the proposed new NHS contract and the idea of patient pathways and the use of different skill sets in dentistry.

It looks like there may be less certainty for young dentists like me about their place in the future NHS, with the proposed expansion of the use of DCPs in primary care it may be that dentists will need to expand their skills; this is where level 2 practitioners come in.

Professor Jimmy Steele presentation at the BSP conference 2014 helps clarify what are level 2 practitioners?

Where did level 2 practitioners come from?

New dental graduates according to GDC, need to be safe beginners in order to qualify. Our skills are underdeveloped and we lack experience therefore, we are level 1 practitioners.

Remember dentists with special interests? These will essentially be level 2 practitioners. Whilst these dentists are not specialists, they have undergone specific training and have more experience in certain procedures and they have in the past been commissioned additional services, for example sedation services.

So what are the other levels?

Level 1 - a safe beginner with no higher accreditation who diagnoses at the first instance, refers on and can offer ongoing maintenance.

Level 2 - a dentist with additional skills i.e. a dentist with a special interest who can undertake more complex treatments

Level 3 - a high street specialist who provides complicated treatments and re-treatments.

Level 4 - a consultant who allocates, plans, oversees and guides the patient care

Level 2 practitioners may not be something that gain momentum until later on during the contract, but it is something that should interest young dentists. With the expansion of DCPs and the challenges of the environment we are now graduating into and with our huge university debts breathing down our necks, we really need to think ahead and be aware that our roles may change.

Ultimately dentists need to consider developing their skills further so that we are not limited to practising at 'level 1'. We also need to learn how to approach patient care as a shared pathway between multiple practitioners of different skill sets.

To read more about the concerns of young dentists please see my blog: www.atoothgerm.blogspot.co.uk