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Dental Foundation Training (DFT) follows a nationally agreed curriculum.
A specific portfolio is used throughout the year which aligns to this curriculum.
This is the applicant guidance for DFT recruitment 2026-27.
Important:
Accuracy
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this page. The information presented is accurate at the time of publication.
Non-urgent advice:
Dental Foundation recruitment webinar
Read the Dental Foundation Training recruitment Person Specification for 2026/2027.
Since September 2016, a formal process has been used by NHS England to sign off Foundation Dentists as having demonstrated the necessary competences and prescribed elements to work independently in NHS general dental practice.
This process is called Review of Competence Progression, also known as ‘satisfactory completion’, of DFT.
It includes a series of practice-based assessments, prescribed activities and panel reviews of each Foundation Dentist throughout the year.
This includes a decision near the end of the training year as to whether the necessary competencies have been demonstrated or whether further training is necessary.
This process is regularly reviewed by the Dental Foundation Training Advisory Group and COPDEND.
Only candidates signed off at the end of the year as having satisfactorily completed DFT will be eligible to have their conditional inclusion in the NHS Performers List (or equivalent) changed to an unconditional inclusion.
In 2025/2026 there were approximately 70 geographical schemes across 12 regions located in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Schemes are for September 2026 start dates. This information will be available from mid year 2026.
Please note that the number of schemes has not yet been finalised at the time of the publication of this guide.
Other dental recruitment processes
The information on these pages relates to all DFT Schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is managed by DFT national recruitment office (NRO).
There are separate recruitment offices that run recruitment for the following, see details below: please note you will need to make separate applications for these if you wish to apply.
Academic Clinical Fellow in Dental Foundation Training
Combine clinical practice with protected time to build early research and teaching experience alongside your Dental Foundation year.
What is an Academic Clinical Fellow Dental Foundation Training (DFT) post?
Academic Clinical Fellow Dental Foundation Training (DFT) posts are standard Dental Foundation Training placements with additional, structured academic development time. After an initial induction period in practice, trainees typically spend around one day per week on academic activity while completing the clinical DFT curriculum.
Academic time is designed to introduce you to research methods and scholarly practice. Depending on the local university partnership, activities may include: literature review and study design, audit and quality improvement, data analysis, writing and presenting, and opportunities to contribute to teaching.
Activities vary by region and host dental school.
In brief: You’ll complete all the usual DFT competencies and gain early exposure to academic dentistry in collaboration with a dental school/university partner.
Who should consider this?
Academic DFT is ideal if you:
Are curious about a clinical-academic career or want to build a foundation in research early; and
Can demonstrate interest and motivation for academic work (for example, audits, QI, research, presentations or relevant extra qualifications)
Apply to national DFT recruitment and sit the SJT in the same recruitment year
An academic application is in addition to your DFT application and will reference your DFT eligibility/SJT status
What selection panels look for
Selections assess your commitment to and potential for academic work. Typical criteria include:
Essential: clear interest in academic dentistry/research
Desirable: intercalated degree or additional qualifications or evidence of meaningful participation in audit/quality improvement/service evaluation; academic achievements (prizes/awards); publications/presentations/posters; and evidence of teamwork, leadership and time management. (Assessment is primarily from your application; local processes may add further steps.)
Apply for a DFT post via Oriel and complete the DFT Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
Submit the short Academic DFT application form on Oriel when the window opens. (You’ll be asked to evidence your academic interest/experience)
Longlisting confirms you meet DFT eligibility. Shortlisting is coordinated with regional academic leads; processes are being standardised across regions. Final arrangements (including any scoring approach) will be confirmed in the applicant guidance
Offers are released after shortlisting concludes. Academic posts are linked to dental schools/universities and availability varies by region and year
What will my week look like?
4 days in clinical practice (as per DFT)
1 day protected academic time (after induction), scheduled with your university partner and tailored to local opportunities
Key dates (indicative)
Final dates are confirmed in applicant communications and on Oriel. The following target timeline is proposed for the upcoming cycle:
Applications open: January - Date to be confirmed
Applications close: February - Date to be confirmed
Longlisting: February - Date to be confirmed
Shortlisting: March - Date to be confirmed
Offers issued: April - Date to be confirmed
Accessibility and support
We aim to make the process fair and accessible. If you require adjustments or have questions about eligibility, academic activity or timelines, please contact (mailbox to be added here) and cite "Academic DFT" in the subject.
Welsh Enhanced Recruitment offer (WERO) - Health Education and Improvement Wales.
DFT WERO is a local recruitment initiative managed by Health Education and Improvment Wales. This is a separate vacancy on Oriel.
Dental Vocational (foundation) Training (DVT) - NHS Education for Scotland
Dental Vocational Training (DVT), is organised and administered on a Scotland-wide basis by NHS Education for Scotland (NES). This is a sparate vacancy on Oriel.
Please note during peak periods the team may take 48 hours to respond to your query (excluding weekends). Please bear in mind especially when submitting your application close to the close date.
Page last reviewed: 30 July 2025
Next review due: 30 July 2027
