An educational supervisor is a named trainer who is appointed by the provider to be responsible for the overall supervision and management of a specified trainee’s educational progress during a training placement or series of placements.

An educational supervisor may be responsible for several trainees, but normally no more than four. Where possible, it is desirable for trainees to have the same educational supervisor for the whole of their training programme or for stages of training (e.g., the early years or more advanced years of training).

Educational supervisors should:

• Be adequately prepared for the role and understand educational theory and practical educational techniques
• Be trained to offer educational supervision and undertake appraisal and feedback 13
• Undertake training in competence assessment, appropriate for the level of trainee
• Be trained in equality and diversity
• Provide regular appraisal opportunities (a minimum of two per annum)
• Develop a learning agreement and educational objectives with the trainee which is mutually agreed and is the point of reference for future appraisal
• Be responsible for ensuring that trainees maintain and develop their portfolio and participate in the assessment process
• Provide regular feedback to trainees on their progress • Ensure that reports are completed within the necessary timescales
• Contact the employer and the Postgraduate Dental Dean should the level of performance of a trainee give rise for concern
• Be able to advise the trainee about access to career management
• Be responsible for their educational role to the TPD

A Reference Guide for Postgraduate Dental Core and Specialty Training in the UK (The Dental Gold Guide, 2023)