Recruitment timeline
Dental Foundation Training (DFT) applicant guideRecruitment to Dental Foundation Training (DFT) takes place through a national selection process.
The Recruitment timeline below has been updated for September 2026 intake.
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.
Applications for the September 2026 intake of Dental Foundation Training (DFT) open in August 2025.
Key dates for recruitment
The times given below are in UK time.
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
August 2025
Applications open
Date: 7 August 2025
Time: 10am
September 2025
Applications close
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Final day for submission of evidence for reasonable adjustments
This needs to be submitted at time of application.
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Deadline to submit Special Circumstances
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Invitations to Situational Judgement Test
Date: 24 September 2025 (subject to change)
Time: by 5pm
November 2025
Situational Judgement Test
Date: 5 November 2025 - 13 November 2025
Scheme information published
Date: To be confirmed
April 2026
Preferencing of schemes open
Date: 11 April 2026 (subject to change)
Preferencing of schemes closes
Date: 27 April 2026 (subject to change)
May 2026
Initial offers
Date: 19 May 2026
Score and rank will be released
Date: 19 May 2026
June 2026
Upgrade deadline
Date: 4 June 2026
Time: 4pm
September 2026
Post commences
Date: 1 September 2026
Details of future rounds will be made available once confirmed.
The times given below are in UK time.
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
August 2025
Applications open
Date: 7 August 2025
Time: 10am
September 2025
Applications close
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Final day for submission of evidence for reasonable adjustments
This needs to be submitted at time of application.
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Deadline to submit Special Circumstances
Date: 8 September 2025
Time: 10am
Invitations to Situational Judgement Test
Date: 24 September 2025 (subject to change)
Time: by 5pm
November 2025
Situational Judgement Test
Date: 5 November 2025 - 13 November 2025
Scheme information published
Date: To be confirmed
April 2026
Preferencing of schemes open
Date: 11 April 2026 (subject to change)
Preferencing of schemes closes
Date: 27 April 2026 (subject to change)
May 2026
Initial offers
Date: 19 May 2026
Score and rank will be released
Date: 19 May 2026
June 2026
Upgrade deadline
Date: 4 June 2026
Time: 4pm
September 2026
Post commences
Date: 1 September 2026
Details of future rounds will be made available once confirmed.
Page last reviewed: 30 July 2025
Next review due: 30 July 2027