Recruitment timeline
Dental Core Training (DCT) recruitmentKey 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
Please note there will only be one round of recruitment 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
Please note there will only be one round of recruitment for Dental Core Training.
Page last reviewed: 9 October 2024
Related information
-
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Everything you need to know about the Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
-
Virtual interviews
Everything you need to know about the interview process