MGDS - Joining the Dental Elite

The idea of doing the MGDS, the Diploma of Membership in General Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England occurred to me on maternity leave. I thought it would ‘keep me busy’ while I waited for my daughter’s arrival. I knew several colleagues who had started MGDS, but none who had successfully passed the rigorous exam. In fact, only about 300 dentists in the UK, less than 2% of the profession, held the post-graduate qualification.

I already held my dental degree, honours science degree (in oral microbiology), and the Diploma in General Dental Practice. I was experienced in learning and taking exams. How hard could it be?

I soon found out. I recall the post-natal period as a haze of sleep deprivation. Memories of night feeds mingle with journal reading. My maternity locum at Gentle Dental Harrow accepted a hospital training post. I returned to work four weeks after Amy’s birth. In between working, expressing milk, mothering, breastfeeding and sleeping, I studied for the first part of the exam, the theoretical paper. One year later, I passed.

The final clinical part of the Diploma beckoned. I read constantly. I was on a first name basis with the staff at the British Dental Association Information Centre. The practice administration systems were overhauled. Every treatment protocol was scrutinized for best practice, evidence base, conformity to currently accepted guidelines, techniques and materials used and laboratory specifications. Only the highest standards were acceptable.

Four patients (‘clients’, my preferred terminology, was not an industry standard, I realized) were invited for treatment to demonstrate my clinical skills. One was a housebound gentleman with schizophrenia who required new false teeth. Another was my dental technician who did his own laboratory work, beautiful gold crowns, inlays and onlays, if I do say so myself. Two others were my daughter’s nannies. Both had grown up in Eastern Europe and had multiple dental needs. I remember them holding Amy while I provided hygiene, fillings, root fillings, porcelain veneers, crowns and partial dentures. At regular intervals Amy would wriggle and scream. We would pause while I fed her, then return to work.

A telephone support network sprang up in the study group I attended. One colleague remarked his wife and staff had threatened to leave him if he did not pass the exam. Another asked me if I thought we would pass.

"Of course we will. We wouldn’t be sitting this exam if we didn’t think we would", I replied.

We hauled ourselves to the finish line.

Gentle Dental Harrow was inspected. My loyal and longstanding staff were inspected. Two of my patients were inspected. I was inspected. I was quizzed on every aspect of my practice, patient care, treatment planning and general dentistry. The clinical exam process took place over two weeks.

Finally, at the Royal College itself, envelopes bearing results were distributed. As I read the words, "We have much pleasure in informing you…" I cried, laughed, and hugged my colleagues. All in my study support network passed, but only half the candidates overall.

I went on to co-author a series of papers on how to pass the exam, which was published in journal and book form by the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK). I keep up to date in my profession with research, writing, reading, lectures and tutorials. Memories of the exam faded, but the ethic of excellence has thrived. Alongside my daily focus on the care of people with dental fears and phobias, I never forget my desire to provide the best quality work I can offer. I enjoy the confidence I feel and the results and trust I gain. Was my MGDS experience a worthwhile investment? Most definitely.