Budget cap for dental study leave in London and Kent Surrey Sussex removed

From 1 April 2020, the annual cap on study leave budgets for dental core and dental specialty trainees in the London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex (KSS) region has been lifted. This will provide greater flexibility and resource for dental trainees in London and KSS, meaning that they are able to apply for the courses most relevant to their individual learning needs at any stage of their training.

Dental trainees in this region are now also able to apply for up to £1000 of funding for aspirational study leave courses, which are defined as educational or professional development opportunities that are not mapped to any direct curriculum requirements but enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the doctor in training, or enhance any aspect of patient care.

Approval for funding to attend such courses should be sought from the trainee’s educational supervisor, training programme director, and the dental postgraduate dean. 

The curriculum course list for dental trainees and additional FAQs on the process can be found on the study leave website. More information on the aspirational study leave process can be found here

Please contact the Study Leave Team via the PGDME Support Portal if you have any queries on how to access the study leave budget.