VT Number

Apparently to work in the NHS in Scotland I need a "VT Number". This is what you are issued after spending a post-graduation year in supervised practice as a Vocational Trainee, a scheme that barely existed when I graduated and didn't become compulsory for many years after.

But you say, they'll just grandfather in anyone graduating in pre-VT days. Well the answer is no. OK, but you should be able to present the fact that you spent years as a dentist in Britain after graduation and get a number issued. No again, you can only apply for a number when you go for an NHS job, and then you present evidence of what you have done in the last 5 years and a board decides if a number will be issued.

This may make sense as a way of regulating overseas dentists (who make up a significant proportion of the Scottish dental workforce these days), but is clearly ridiculous for someone like me who would have a VT number now except that I am too old! So I will have to work as an employee until such time (12 weeks they say) as the board make a decision.