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Articles of Interest
Here are a selection of articles written by Dr M K
Vasant, which were published in professional dental journals.
REVOLUTION
& EVOLUTION IN GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE
First Hand |
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Manny Vasant MBE BDS MGDS FFGDP(UK)
FDS Diploma tutor, Central London Division
of the FGDP(UK), Specialist Practitioner in
Prosthodontics (London) Lead Advisor for LPMDE
'The Central London MGDS and MFGDP(UK) study
groups provide courses by GDPs, for GDPs and
of GDPs. Together we commit ourselves to better
care for our patients. Let us learn from one
another. Our aim is to make good dentists
better.' |
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Why not join Manny Vasant and colleagues at the Central
London and work towards your MGDS or MFGDP(UK) as part
of your CPD?
Before the advent of the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners
(UK), general dental practice was seen by some as the
Cinderella of dentistry, who had to leave the ball early
before the fun began, leaving its development to other
institutions.
How different the picture is today. With the help of the
Faculty, GDPs are becoming increasingly responsible for
their own continuing education. A career structure is
evolving, general practice is on the move and gaining
speed.
MFGDP(UK)? MGDS? FFGDP(UK)
It is expected that in the forthcoming
years, general practitioners will follow their vocational
year with a further year of postgraduate study leading
to the MFGDP(UK) - a standard of competence in general
practice. Following this - maybe 4-5 years later - with
the MGDS - the standard of excellence in clinical practice.
And then on to the ultimate goal - the Fellowship in General
Dental Practice [FFGDP(UK)]. About 30 GDPs have already
achieved this.
So what part do the
Central London Study Groups play in this?
The MGDS Group was started in 1986 by
Raj Raja Rayan with the help of the other founder members:
Ruby Austin, Ken Eaton, Roger Goulden, Mike Townsend and
Manny Vasant. Professor Sheiham provided the accommodation
in his department in Gower Street, where the group met
for several years before being relocated to the current
salubrious venue at the Institute of Child Health in Guildford
Street, London.
Every October since its inception, some 100 dentists have
enrolled for the Central London Section 63 course, which
takes place over 18 Tuesday evenings. Since the stepping
stone to the MGDS was the Diploma in General Dental Practice
now the MFGDP(UK) - it was inevitable that a sister group
would be established along the same lines. As a diploma
tutor I undertook this responsibility and, with the help
of colleagues, established the group in 1994. This group
regularly meets on 12(different) Tuesday evenings at the
same venue. The two groups have co-existed so that a free
interchange and continuity between the two is available.
This educational process for general dental practitioners,
pioneered by the Central London Group and utilising study
groups, has not only been replicated in other parts of
the UK, but has also received international acclaim.
I have been fortunate to have been associated with both
groups from the outset and have seen many practitioners
revive and revitalise their interest in dentistry. Many
of the products of the groups have joined the group as
honorary course tutors. Amongst them over the years, Richard
Wilson, Rash Patel, Steve Perry, Martin Hussain and Davinderpal
Kooner, who have also taken on the additional burden of
many of the administrative tasks. The group is unique
in the sense that it works without a postgraduate centre
or a secretariat (Manny Vasant's practice handles the
correspondence and some temporary ad hoc help is hired
as required). I am pleased to say that as of this summer
the MFGDP(UK) and MGDS Study Groups will be administered
by Simon Cox at the LPMDE, 20 Guildford Street, London
WC1N 1DZ; telephone 020 7692 3149 to whom any inquiries
must be addressed.
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