Specialist Training in Paediatric Dentistry in Hong Kong
The College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong (CDSHK) was established in 1993. It is under the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine (HKAM) and is primarily responsible for fellow accreditation after completing approved training and prescribed examinations. Membership of the College is divided into Fellows (including Hon Fellows) and Ordinary Members.
The College organises dental specialist training pathways and sets up benchmarks for the dental profession. The Discipline of Paediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong and the Government School Dental Care Service at the MacLehose Dental Centre, Department of Health are the only two CDSHK-accredited training centres for specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry in Hong Kong.
Trainees can have their basic and higher specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry in Hong Kong in either the Discipline of Paediatric Dentistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong or the Government School Dental Care Service at the MacLehose Dental Centre.
Specialist training pathway in Paediatric Dentistry in Hong Kong
The full-time specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry leading to the Specialist Fellowship (FCDSHK) should be for a minimum duration of 6 years, with an Intermediate Examination after 4 years, followed by a 2-year Higher Training programme leading to the Exit Examination.
The typical specialist training pathway in Paediatric Dentistry is shown below:
- Obtaining a basic dental degree from the University of Hong Kong or an equivalent institution approved by the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong will be the prerequisite entry requirement for the full-time basic training in Paediatric Dentistry.
- In year 1 of the basic training programme, the candidate is expected to gain appropriate experience in general/hospital dentistry at the University of Hong Kong, the Department of Health Dental Services, or other supervised practices.
- The candidate is also required to attend lectures, specific or continuing education courses and conferences of not less than 30 CME hours during year 1. Evidence of these CME hours should be submitted to the Specialty Board in Paediatric Dentistry before admission to year 2 of the training programme.
- Year 2 to 4 of basic training should be a full time, structured, institute-based training programme in Paediatric Dentistry in the approved training institutions/centres.
- Before admission into the Higher Training programme, the candidate must have successfully completed the Intermediate Examination in Paediatric Dentistry of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong, and/or also the examination leading to the Membership in Paediatric Dentistry of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
- Year 5 and 6 of the Programme should be a structured Higher Training period in an approved programme at a training institute or approved practice in conjunction with a training institute.
- Before accreditation as a trained specialist, the candidate must have fulfilled all the requirements of specialty training in Paediatric Dentistry as determined by the Specialty Board, and must also successfully complete an Exit Examination in Paediatric Dentistry conducted by the Specialty Board in Paediatric Dentistry of the College of Dental Surgeons of Hong Kong.
Fellows of the CDSHK
After completing the 6-years specialist training, Fellows are still required to have continuous education. The College Fellows are required to achieve a minimum of 90 Continuous Medical Education points (through professional education activities endorsed by the CME subcommittee of the College) over a period of every three years.
CDSHK provides the list of Fellows who have completed the approved training and prescribed examinations and obtained the Fellowships and Memberships offered by CDSHK and HKAM on their website. Dental Fellows of CDSHK and HKAM are recognised by the Dental Council of Hong Kong as specialists and are eligible to be listed on the specialist register in Hong Kong.