--- title: Training for inclusivity description: BDA releases guidance on learning disability and autism training for dental clinical and administrative staff image: https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/dyslexia-3014152_1280-1.jpg --- [![DTOC RGB Logo-1](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/DTOC%20RGB%20Logo-1.svg "DTOC RGB Logo-1")](https://dentist-times.co.uk/home) - [ABOUT](https://dentist-times.co.uk/about) - [NEWS](https://dentist-times.co.uk) - [EVENTS](https://dentist-times.co.uk/events) - [PARTNERS](https://dentist-times.co.uk/partners-dtoc) - [CONTACT](https://dentist-times.co.uk/contact) [training](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/tag/training),[British Dental Association](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/tag/british-dental-association),[regulatory](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/tag/regulatory),[mental health](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/tag/mental-health) # Training for inclusivity ![dyslexia-3014152_1280-1](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/dyslexia-3014152_1280-1.jpg?width=1280&height=853&name=dyslexia-3014152_1280-1.jpg) The British Dental Association (BDA) has issued guidance to help dental workers understand and implement mandatory Oliver McGowan training. McGowan was a young autistic man who died in hospital after staff assessed him incorrectly and ignored instructions not to administer anti-psychotic medication. Following Oliver’s death, the *Health and Care Act 2022* introduced a legal requirement for CQC-registered health and social care providers to ensure their staff receive training on learning disability and autism. And dental practices will need to arrange different levels of training based on staff roles. Administrative staff, including receptionists and practice managers, will typically require tier one training, while clinical staff who provide direct patient care will need to complete tier two training. ** ** ### **Training scope by tiers** Tier one consists of two parts: an on-demand e-learning module of approximately 90 minutes, followed by a one-hour online interactive session. Both parts must be completed to meet the statutory requirements. Tier two also consists of two parts: the same on-demand e-learning module of 90 minutes followed by a one-day face-to-face training session. The face-to-face element is co-delivered by trainers with lived experience of learning disability and autism. Both parts of the training must be completed within six months of each other. Members can access the on-demand e-learning part one of [**Learning Disability and Autism: Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training**](https://cpd.bda.org/enrol/index.php?id=421) through the BDA’s CPD hub, while non-members can access it through [**e-learning for healthcare**](https://portal.e-lfh.org.uk/Component/Details/781480) free of charge. The second part of the training, whether this is the online interactive session for tier one, or the face-to-face session for tier two, must be delivered by a provider on the list of [**Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training approved trainers**](https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/2025-10/OFFICIAL%20-%20Providers%20Delivering%20The%20Oliver%20McGowan%20Mandatory%20Training%20%28website%20upload%29.pdf). Availability may be limited to begin with, but the BDA expects that training capacity will increase throughout 2026. ** ** ### **Planning your training** The BDA advises all practices to ensure their staff complete the e-learning component at the earliest opportunity. It also recommends incorporating discussion of the learning points and any necessary adjustments into regular team meetings. This demonstrates initial compliance action and provides essential knowledge while arrangements are made for the live training elements. Practices should begin investigating the availability of approved trainers for both the tier one online interactive sessions and tier two face-to-face training as soon as possible as demand for approved trainers is likely to exceed supply during the initial rollout period. ### **CQC compliance and Oliver McGowan training** Should a practice face a CQC inspection before completing the full training requirements, they should be able to demonstrate pro-active compliance by showing: - Evidence that all staff have completed, or are scheduled to complete, the on-demand e-learning - Documentation of attempts to book approved training sessions - Records of team discussions about implementing the training principles - An indicative timeline for completing the remaining training elements Taking these steps will show inspectors a practice is actively working towards full compliance, even if training availability prevents immediate completion of all requirements. Members can read more about [**decision making, mental capacity and competency**](https://www.bda.org/advice/patient-care-and-safety/safeguarding-dental-patients/decision-making-mental-capacity-and-competency/), and obtaining [**consent from patients**](https://www.bda.org/advice/patient-care-and-safety/safeguarding-dental-patients/consent/) in the BDA advice section. There is also a new [**consent course on the CPD hub**](https://cpd.bda.org/enrol/index.php?id=726) for legally-compliant and ethically-sound patient care.     calendar icon Nov 4, 2025 9:31:22 AM ![New initiative aims to improve the mental health of dentistry workers](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ai-generated-8475824_1280.jpg?width=600&name=ai-generated-8475824_1280.jpg) ## [New initiative aims to improve the mental health of dentistry workers](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/new-initiative-aims-to-improve-the-mental-health-of-dentistry-staff) The British Dental Industry Association (BDIA) has teamed up with [BREATHE](http://www.breathedentalwellness.org/), a new initiative aimed... ![ADG partners with Smile Dental Academy in training boost](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Dental%204.png?width=600&name=Dental%204.png) ## [ADG partners with Smile Dental Academy in training boost](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/adg-partners-with-smile-dental-academy-in-training-boost) ![Somerset opens three new dental practices](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/ChardDental1-1000x563.jpg?width=600&name=ChardDental1-1000x563.jpg) ## [Somerset opens three new dental practices](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/somerset-opens-three-new-dental-practices) Up to 20,000 more people across Somerset will be able to access NHS dental care with the opening of... ![Minamata Convention decision on phasing out amalgam](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/BDA.jpg?width=600&name=BDA.jpg) ## [Minamata Convention decision on phasing out amalgam](https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/minamata-convention-decision-on-phasing-out-amalgam) On 7 November, at the sixth meeting of the *Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention*... ![DTOC RGB Logo-2](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/DTOC%20RGB%20Logo-2.svg)![DTOC Rev Logo](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/DTOC%20Rev%20Logo.svg) The Dentist Times Owners Club is an exclusive, free-to-join community, designed specifically for dental practice owners.    **              Organised by**** Nexus Media Group** ![nmg-logo](https://dentist-times.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/nmg-logo.png?width=174&height=83&name=nmg-logo.png) Registered office: 3rd floor, 10 Rose & Crown Yard, King Street, London SW1Y 6RE ***[https://nexusmediagroup.co.uk/](https://nexusmediagroup.co.uk/)*** Registered in England & Wales No.7430935 VAT Registration Number: 629 547 604        --- © 2025 Dentist Times Owners Club ↑ ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Joanne Makosinski", "url" : "https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/author/joanne-makosinski" }, "dateModified" : "2025-11-04T09:31:22.356Z", "datePublished" : "2025-11-04T09:31:22.000Z", "headline" : "Training for inclusivity", "image" : [ "https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/dyslexia-3014152_1280-1.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://dentist-times.co.uk/dentist-times-owners-club-insights/training-for-inclusivity", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://dentist-times.co.uk/hubfs/NMG_Black_logo.svg" }, "name" : "Nexus Media Group" } } ```