Witness Training Program

Students undertaking training towards the NEBDN’s National Diploma in Dental Nursing qualification are required to complete a work based assessment portfolio called the Record of Experience (ROE).

Included in the ROE are a number of tasks based on the role of a qualified dental nurse. Students need to complete these tasks in the workplace whilst being observed by a GDC registrant who acts as a ‘Witness’.

In order to ensure trainee dental nurses complete the workplace tasks within the ROE to a satisfactory standard, from September 2013 all Witnesses observing the clinical activities must receive a documented standardised level of training to ensure they are fully aware of their role and responsibilities. This is a mandatory requirement for all those GDC registered professionals acting as Witnesses to any student working towards the NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing qualification. Therefore if you or any of your team is involved in assessing students in your workplace you must complete the training programme otherwise your student(s) will not have their ROE validated by their Course Provider.

NEBDN will check that all applicants applying to enter either part of the NEBDN National Diploma in Dental Nursing examination from January 2014 provide supporting documentation that shows all Witnesses involved in signing off their ROE have successfully completed the training course. Any applicants that do not include this will not be eligible to enter the final Diploma examination.

What is a Witness?

A Witness must be a GDC registrant* who’s role is to observe the student directly as they carry out the procedures and tasks within the ROE and determine whether the procedures witnessed have been carried out effectively and skilfully. The Witness is responsible for assessing a student’s clinical competence at the end of the task using a number of checklists.

The Witness must provide constructive feedback and ‘sign-off’ the document provided by the student. A seven day sign-off period for completion of Witness statements and signatures must be followed.

Witness Training Programme

The Witness training is an on-line programme designed for anyone acting as a Witness for students as they complete their ROE. It contains information relating to the responsibilities of a Witness as well as useful resources and activities allowing Witnesses to familiarise themselves with the role. Every Witness involved in observing students in the workplace must complete this training from September 2013 even if the student has already begun their ROE.

The training consists of two observational activities which show a Student Dental Nurse carrying out clinical procedures. For each of the activities, Witnesses are required to make an assessment decision and provide feedback to the student. Once completed, the documentation is then submitted to a team of trained Markers who will assess and grade the performance of each potential Witness, making a decision whether to pass or fail the submission following NEBDN guidelines. Those who pass the assessment will be able to download a certificate which shows they have completed the training to the required standard and can therefore begin or continue to act as a Witness. Those failing the assessments will receive constructive feedback from the Markers and will be able to access the training course again.

Aims and Objectives of the Witness Training Programme

At the end of the training programme those GDC registrants acting as Witnesses within the workplace will:

• Be able to carry out their responsibilities as a Witness within the required standards
• Be able to observe student performance and make judgements of competence
• Be able to complete NEBDN documentation to the required standard
• Access to the on-line training course will be through our website at nebdn.org

During Student Visit at your Clinic our Tutor will be able to explain access to the course one to one with appointed Clinician. If you have any questions in the meantime please contact us.

Key Information

Duration: 1 Year – Starting:
2nd May 2019
20th June 2019
10th July 2019
19th September 2019
2nd October 2019

Location: Central London: The British Dental Association
Awarding Body: National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN)

All our dental nurse training courses take place at the prestigious location of The British Dental Association. SmileWisdom has the privilege to be the only Dental Academy running The NEBDN Dental Nursing Diploma at The BDA. www.bda.org is the home of UK dentistry.which is situated moments from Wimpole St. and Harley St. (the premiere dental locations in London), and is conveniently placed within walking distance of both Oxford Circus and Bond Street tube stations.