These Regulations amend the National Health Service (Vocational Training for General Dental Practice) (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (“the principal Regulations”) which make provision for vocational training for dentists.

Regulations 2 to 5 amend the principal Regulations. Regulations 2 and 3(a), (b) and (c)(ii) make provision for the employer of those undergoing vocational training to be NHS Education for Scotland instead of a dentist who is an approved trainer or a Health Board. Regulation 3(d) removes an outdated reference to the post of Director of Postgraduate General Dental Practice Education. Regulation 4 amends an exemption from completing vocational training in regulation 2(3)(a) of the principal Regulations so that the exemption applies to those dentists holding a relevant European diploma. Regulation 5 omits regulation 8 of the principal Regulations which is now spent, and regulations 3(c)(i), d(i) and (e) make amendments consequential on that omission.

Regulation 6 makes a corresponding amendment to the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 to reflect the change of employer to NHS Education for Scotland.

Regulation 7 is a saving provision. It saves the existing law for one year for dentists who are undergoing vocational training but have not completed that training when these Regulations come into force.