For Professor Grant McIntyre, examinations have been a defining thread throughout a career in dentistry – from candidate to examiner, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery and Vice-President (Dental).
In this reflection, he explores why rigorous, fair and compassionate assessment matters; celebrates the commitment of dental examiners; and considers how technology, standardisation and collaboration are reshaping the College’s examination portfolio. As he concludes his term, Grant looks ahead to the future of dental assessment and the colleagues who will continue to uphold professional standards.
Examinations are a career necessity in dentistry but generate a whole range of emotions. The feelings of fear and panic while studying can be matched with crisis and loneliness at times. Fortunately, there are champagne moments on passing and when being awarded a Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh diploma which make all the effort and worry worthwhile.
Examinations have been a constant thread throughout my professional career. From being a candidate at Royal College examinations within the first two years of university graduation and then on a continual basis with each career jump, I transitioned into the examiner role fairly quickly having been asked to help with a bumper diet of MFDS Part C in Dundee. The early period of Consultant life was very different to the previous decade and although I had been an internal examiner for various university examinations, becoming a College examiner was more than just duty. As an RCSEd examiner, I was aware of the responsibility to uphold standards, protect patients and recognise personal achievement through passing examinations and also through examination medals.
As with candidates from yesteryear, today’s candidates continue to invest enormous amounts of time, effort and emotion in preparing for an examination. We therefore owe it to them to continue to ensure every assessment is fair, defensible, relevant and conducted with professionalism and respect. Whilst examinations should be rigorous, the best examiners combine this with humanity.
During my time as Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery and Vice-president (Dental), the FDS examination portfolio has evolved significantly. Standardisation, consistency and examiner training are all key aspects of quality assurance, and these are important underpinnings for both the new Dental Diploma Examinations, and the evolution of the Diploma in Implant Dentistry to a Membership examination. The increasing use of digital technology has transformed both assessment and delivery, particularly for the tricollegiate MFDS and Dental Specialty Fellowship Examinations and as these examinations go live in October, it gives me pride that in the space of 36 months, the staff and volunteers among the three UK Colleges have worked as a united team to deliver a suite of 11 completely new examinations which will serve the profession for many years to come. Our other examinations are not to be forgotten either, they deliver what they are intended to do and with style.
Our understanding of a good examination continues to evolve. Assessment is no longer simply about determining recall and increasingly, we seek to establish whether candidates can demonstrate applied knowledge, sound professional judgement and show the key elements to practise safely. The examiner role has consequently evolved too: from expert interrogator towards trained professional assessor gently coaching each other to get the best out of candidates.
None of this would be possible without our dental examiners. I recognise the commitment that each gives in terms of time and expertise, frequently intertwined with demanding clinical, academic and professional commitments. Examiners are custodians of standards and, through the decisions they make both large and small, help shape the future of our profession.
I also greatly value the friendships and professional relationships that examining creates. Bringing colleagues together from different specialties, backgrounds, cultures and countries is one of the great strengths of our College. Whilst examiners occasionally disagree over small points, the discussions are themselves part of maintaining and developing robust and credible assessments.
As I complete my term, I am delighted that Richard Cure will become the Faculty’s 16th Dean. Richard brings considerable experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and I know that dental examinations will remain central to the Faculty's mission under Richard’s leadership. Richard has some exciting plans for the dental examination portfolio and over the next three years and beyond, examinations will continue to change as dentistry, education and technology change around us.
My enthusiasm for the process remains. Good examinations are important. Good examiners are arguably more important. It has been an enormous privilege to work alongside so many brilliant examiners, and to have played a small part in continuing our College's long tradition of setting and upholding standards for the dental profession. Whilst the baton now passes to Richard, he tells me I am not allowed to put down my examiner's pen just yet.