Mentor/Mentee Relationship

The ADI suggests that the mentor/mentee relationship is structured as follows:

1. An initial meeting to assist the learner to set his/her goals , resulting in the drawing up of an action plan or personal development plan (PDP). (see below for more details)
2. Arrange meetings to support and motivate learner to implement the plan. Learning will be facilitated through provision of practical information, guidance and links to resources.
3. There should be regular feedback, review of progress and recording of the achievements within the plan, which may well amend and feed back into the initial action plan as a result of learning

In terms of managing the contract between mentor and mentee, mentors should:

1. Ensure that all parties agree on expectations and outcomes before mentoring begins
2. Agree on when, where and how often the sessions will take place and complete the formal mentor agreement
3. Agree on a method of payment and an adequate fee structure
4. Evaluate outcome measurements
5. Ensure ‘clinical code of practice’ and professional code of ethics are observed at all times
6. Manage professional boundaries effectively
7. Observe record keeping and assist the mentee in keeping the learning portfolio

The Initial meeting

All mentees are expected to present the following information when they first meet their mentor. It is suggested that this information be kept in a ring binder and updated continuously throughout the mentee’s professional career, as a record of their continued competence to work in implant dentistry - even after the mentoring process has ended.

Each section should be separated from the next with clearly indicated dividers.

• Current GDC certificate.
• Certificates for additional registerable qualifications.
• Current indemnity certificate - specifically covering the clinician for the appropriate level of work with dental implants.
• Hepatitis B certificate of immunisation and immunity.
• Records of Verifiable CPD for at least the last 2 years, which should include appropriate amounts of CPD related specifically to the core subjects of Radiography and Radiation protection, Disinfection and Decontamination, and Medical Emergencies.
• A copy of the latest version of the Training Standards in Implant Dentistry for General Dental Practitioners from the GDC.

Having read the Training Standards in Implant Dentistry for General Dental Practitioners from the GDC, the mentee should discuss with the mentor:

• Knowledge, Skills and Learning Outcomes they wish to obtain from the mentoring process
• Outcome Measures that will be used to determine whether they have achieved the desired objectives including ways to document learning
• Timescale to do this in.

These three factors should be clearly written up as a Personal Development Plan (PDP) and placed into the Implant Learning Portfolio. They should be regularly revisited throughout the Mentoring Process and when the appropriate outcome measures have been achieved they should be signed off by the Mentor

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