Accreditation of training settings is undertaken by position, as part of a training centre (network model). There is a Director of Training (DoT) in each centre, responsible for preparing for an accreditation visit.
Each position and training centre is assessed against the SCOMS (Accreditation Standards and Criteria for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery). The SCOMS are divided into 8 standards for assessment:
Education and Training.
Clinical Experience.
Equipment and Support Services.
Resources to support education and training.
Supervision.
Organisational Support for Trainees.
Institutional Responsibilities.
Quality and Safety.
Each criterion is set and divided into two categories: Must (mandatory) and Should (desirable).
Once an accreditation assessment is finalised the position within the training centre is afforded one of the following three levels of accreditation:
Full Accreditation:
Full accreditation will be granted to a post when all mandatory requirements have been met and the accreditation team is satisfied that the core requirements for accreditation have been achieved. Posts that receive full accreditation will be subject to periodic review every five years.
Conditional Accreditation:
Conditional accreditation will be granted to a post when the mandatory criteria have not all been met but the accreditation team is satisfied that there is the potential for significant progress to be made in that area within the next twelve months. The training institution would be required to report progress within twelve months of the visit.
Suspended Accreditation:
Suspended accreditation may be applied if there is a substantial change to the post, for example, if the post is unoccupied or if the Supervisor of Training resigns without an appropriate replacement being appointed.
