MJDFand the Modern Dental Career
What is the MJDF? The Portfolio of Evidence
The Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties at The Royal College of Surgeons of England (MJDF RCS Eng) is a new assessment, developed jointly by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) and the Faculty of Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. This new examination has replaced the existing:
· Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) (MFGDP[UK])
· Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery. (MFDS RCS Eng)
The aim of the Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Faculties is to assess knowledge and skills after completion of a candidate who is two-year post qualification, whether they are pursuing a career in general or specialist practice.
The MJDF will be the starting point for practitioners who wish to develop their careers in a number of ways. The examination may become a desirable requirement for entry into postgraduate training programmes generally, including specialist training, and will be the starting point for the FGDP(UK)’s Career Pathway for general dental practitioners. This means that all dentists should consider the MJDF as a valuable demonstration of the competencies they have achieved at that point in their careers.
The MJDF is open to all dentists who are registered to practise dentistry, and may be working in any field, either within primary or secondary dental care
What does it involve?
There are three basic parts to the exam:
This will assess aspects of knowledge and application of knowledge, and provide workplace-based assessment of relevant competencies
The Portfolio of Evidence consists of five parts:
1. A portfolio providing evidence of core clinical and professional skills drawn from the candidate’s working environment.
2. Evidence of clinical management through:
a. Presentation of an audit or research project.
b. Presentation of a clinical case, case-based discussion or VDP equivalent (e.g. Mini Clinical Evaluation Exercise [mini CEX] or Multi-Source Feedback [MSF])
3. A curriculum vitae.
4. A record of continuing professional development activity and a personal development plan.
Part 1 Examination
One paper, assessing knowledge and applied knowledge. This will include different formats of multiple-choice questions and multiple short answer questions.
Part 2 Examination
The Part 2 examination will consist of objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and structured clinical reasoning (SCR) formats of assessment
What are the requirements?
· Primary dental qualification (e.g. BDS).
· 12 months full time postgraduate dental experience (or equivalent) before Part 2 can be undertaken.
· Part 1 of the examination must be passed before Part 2 can be undertaken. The Portfolio of Evidence may be submitted at any point.
· The diploma will not be awarded until two years full time postgraduate dental experience has been completed.
Equivalence may be granted to part-time experience, so long as it is completed within a four-year period.
All three components of the diploma must be completed within a five-year period starting from the date the first part is undertaken. If this is the Part 1 exam, it is the date this examination is undertaken. If this is the Portfolio of Evidence, it is the date it this submitted for marking.
Why should I do it?
· The challenge
· Sense of achievement
· A GDC registerable qualification (subject to GDC approval)
· Addresses clinical governance issues for the practice
· Desirable entry qualification into speciality training
· Entry qualification for the FGDP(UK)’s career pathway
· Desirable entry requirement for the other FGDP(UK) postgraduate courses
Frequently asked questions
Whilst the underpinning rationale for the new assessment is easy to explain, we appreciate that the transition from the old to the new processes presents immediate and difficult choices for those studying for these qualifications. Below are some frequently asked questions will may help to provide guidance to the candidate.
What are the differences between the MFDS and the new MJDF?
Part 1 and Part 2 of the MJDF replace Parts A, B and C of the MFDS (RCS Eng). In addition, a Portfolio of Evidence will be required to be awarded the MJDF.
The Portfolio of Evidence will consist of:-
· a CV, personal development plan and record of CPD
· five completed core clinical and professional skills (to include the General Dental Council (GDC)”””””””’’s three mandatory CPD areas)
· a workplace-based audit or research project,
· a clinical case presentation
Part 1 MJDF will consist of:-
· one paper assessing knowledge and applied knowledge. This will include different formats of multiple choice questions (MCQs) and multiple short answer (MSA) questions.
Part 2 MJDF resembles Part C of the MFDS. The MFDS consists of:-
· Part 2 MJDF will consist of an OSCE with a similar number of stations as in the MFDS, but structured clinical reasoning (SCR) stations will be included as a separate component instead of the structured vivas.
How does the MJDF differ from the MFGDP(UK)?
The MFGDP(UK) and MJDF have a common format consisting of a Portfolio of Evidence, a Part 1 and a Part 2. However, there are some practical differences.
The MJDF has a Portfolio of Evidence, and candidates working in primary care should prepare this on the same basis as the current guidance for the MFGDP(UK) coursework module. However, unlike the MFGDP(UK) where evidence is required of seven defined key skills, MJDF candidates will choose five key skills, three of which must include the three ‘”””””””’core”””””””'’ areas defined by the GDC. An audit and clinical care report should be included as before, but a personal development plan and CV are now also required.
Instead of two papers for Part I MFGDP(UK) consisting of MSA questions, MCQs and critical reading, Part 1 MJDF will be one paper consisting of different formats of MCQs and MSA questions. Critical reading skills required for Part I MFGDP(UK) will now be part of the SCR component of Part 2 MJDF described below, and may appear in other elements of the examination such as the MCQs and MSA questions.
· Part 2 MJDF (as above)
I have already completed parts of MFDS/MFGDP(UK). Should I complete this qualification or transfer into the new MJDF?
Each candidate should make an individual judgment based on personal preferences, assessing whether they are better positioned to prepare for the old style examinations or MJDF; this may be discussed with the tutors.
I am considering doing a membership qualification. Where do I start given the continued availability of MFDS and MFGDP(UK)?
We recommend that candidates who have yet to start any part of the MFDS or MFGDP(UK) commence with MJDF.
Since the MJDF assesses competencies in the 2 years post qualification, is it relevant to a practitioner with several years”””””””'’ experience post qualification?
Yes – the MJDF will be the starting point for dentists who wish to develop their careers in a number of ways. With more flexible entry into specialist training, and the advent of concepts such as the Dentists with Special Interests, all practitioners should consider the MJDF as a valuable demonstration of having achieved the postgraduate competencies set out in the foundation training curriculum.
I have completed MFDS/MFGDP(UK). Can I use this to obtain exemptions from parts of the MJDF?
If you have completed MFDS or MFGDP(UK), you need only take Part 2 MJDF to gain that award, as long the components for which you are claiming credit and Part 2 of the MJDF are completed within the five-year period allowed by the regulations.
How long do I have to complete the MJDF?
All parts of the assessment will normally have to be completed within 5 years.
At what point do I complete the Portfolio of Evidence?
This may completed at any point in the five-year period, including after Part 2.
Do the elements of the examination take up excess time away from practice?
No. The areas of relective learning and portfolio writing are closely related to areas of practice, which already require protocols; eg radiation regulations, record keeping, cross infection control, staff training and management, practice legislation and emergencies in practice.
Do I have to travel to London to sit parts of the examination?
In recent years when the numbers of candidates have exceeded 15, the Faculty of General Dental Practice has allowed the examination to be held in Belfast.
What help is available?
A study group started in September 07 and will run on a monthly basis through until the spring MJDF examination in April 2008). This format provides guidance, support and direction to your studying. In recent years this study club has provided the most effective preparation for the examination.
I am interested, what do I do now?
Contact the dental department at NIMDTA
Useful contacts
The Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (UK)
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
35 – 43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
LONDON
WC2A 3PN
www.rcseng.ac.uk/dental/fgdp
General information about faculty, the examination reading lists and dates of sittings
o.thompsonwds@btinternet.com Northern Ireland Faculty Tutor
MJDF STUDY CLUB PROGRAMME 2008 - 09
Aims: The MJDF exam study club aims to provide candidates with exposure to the necessary material to enable them to prepare adequately for the MJDF Part 1 and 2 examinations. Guidance and assistance will be given to help participating dentists to complete the required coursework and relevant disciplines to a successful standard.
Objectives: Having attended the complete study club programme, participants should be well prepared in both the theoretical and practical aspects of the MJDF Part 1 and 2 examinations.
This year the study club has been split into four groups to accommodate those who have Part 1 and are progressing to Part 2, to the newcomers wishing to sit Part 1 and to the candidates in the middle of Part 2 preparation.
A £30 fee is payable for each group meeting. If you wish to attend more than 1 group meeting per evening there is a maximum fee of £60 per evening. This provision has been introduced because:-
· In the past some candidates have requested to fast track the examination to be prepared to assist applying for other postgraduate certificate and diploma courses
· FGDP have removed the stipulation that the coursework element must be completed before sitting Part 2. Now, on completion of Part 1, a candidate can sit Part 2 while completing the coursework module.
Please forward a cheque for the total number of meetings you are applying for with your application.
Group A Anyone who wishes to learn more about the examination or those who want to begin working up to Part 1.
Group B Only participants who have already achieved Part 1 and who want to complete the work based portfolio
Group C Candidates who are working towards Part 2, who want to complete their case and audit.
Group D Candidates who are working towards Part 2.
The dates for this years Study group are:-
Monday 8 September 2008
Monday 6 October 2008
Monday 10 November 2008
Monday 5 January 2009
Monday 2 February 2009
Monday 2 March 2009
The meetings will be held in NIMDTA, Beechill House, 42 Beechill Road, Belfast.
Due to the increasing popularity of the groups and the success of study afternoons, final times will be allocated depending upon numbers applying for each group.
Participants will be informed of the finalised timetable in early August by email. It is therefore imperative that all interested parties fill in the relevant form correctly.