Recruitment timeline

Dental Core Training (DCT) recruitment

Key dates and recruitment timelines for Dental Core Training (DCT) recruitment

Adverts for 2026 recruitment will appear on Tuesday 6 January 2026, with applications opening 2 days later, at 10:00am on Thursday 8 January 2026. This is followed by a 3-week window for applications.

Applications close on Thursday 29 January 2026 at 4:00pm. No late applications will be accepted.

This is followed by Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) in March and virtual interviews in April and May. We'll send out the first set of offers near the end of May.

Recruitment timelines for Dental Core Training

This round of recruitment is for posts that start in September 2026.

All times are in UK local time (GMT or BST). Please note that times and dates are indicative and subject to change.

January

Oriel adverts appear (DCT1 and DCT2/3)

Date: Tuesday 6 January 2026
Link: Oriel

Applications open  

Applications must be made through Oriel. We will not accept applications in any other way.

Date: Thursday 8 January 2026
Time: 10:00am

Applications close

No late applications will be accepted.

Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Time: 4:00pm

February

Situational Judgement Test (SJT) invitations sent

Date: TBC

SJT booking window opens    

Date: TBC 
Time: TBC

SJT booking window closes

Applicants will be able to reschedule or cancel up until 48 hours before their booked appointment time.

Date: TBC 
Time: TBC

March

SJT assessment window

Date: TBC 

April and May

Interview invites sent   

Date: TBC

Interview booking open    

Date: TBC
Time: 10:00am

Interview booking deadline    

Date: TBC
Time: 9:00am

Interview booking confirmation sent    

Date: TBC
Time: 4:00pm

Preference ranking opens    

Date: TBC
Time: 4:00pm

Virtual interview dates - DCT1 

  • TBC

The interview window is scheduled between Monday 9 March 2026 - Wednesday 20 May 2026

Virtual interview dates - DCT2/3 

  • TBC

The interview window is scheduled between Monday 9 March 2026 - Wednesday 20 May 2026

Preference ranking closes

Preference ranking will be re-opened inbetween each iteration of offers.

Date: TBC
Time: TBC

First offers released    

Date: Thursday 21 May 2026
Time: 5:00pm

Second Iteration of offers released    

Date: TBC

Hold deadline    

Date: Thursday 28 May 2026
Time: 1:00pm

Feedback to applicants    

Date: TBC

Third Iteration of offers released    

Date: TBC

June

Upgrade deadline    

Date: Tuesday 2 June 2026
Time: 4:00pm

August

Final offers released 

Date: TBC

September

Post Commences

Date: TBC

Page last reviewed: 9 October 2024

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