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.
July 2026
Applications open
Date: 23 July 2026
Time: 10am
August 2026
Applications close
Date: 26 August 2026
Time: 10am
November 2026
Situational Judgement Test window
Date: 4 November to 12 November 2026
April 2027
Preferencing opens
Date: 7 april 2027 (subject to change)
May 2027
Preferencing closes
Date: 6 May 2027 (subject to change)
Time: 10am
Initial offers
Date: 18 May 2027 (subject to change)
June 2027
Dental school exam results
Date: 2 June 2027
Upgrade deadline
Date: 3 June 2027
Time: 4pm
Hold deadline
Date: TBC
Transfer of information (TOI) to regions
Date: 9 June 2027
September 2027
Post commences
Date: 1 September 2027
Details of future rounds will be added once available.
The times given below are in UK time.
Late applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.
July 2026
Applications open
Date: 23 July 2026
Time: 10am
August 2026
Applications close
Date: 26 August 2026
Time: 10am
November 2026
Situational Judgement Test window
Date: 4 November to 12 November 2026
April 2027
Preferencing opens
Date: 7 april 2027 (subject to change)
May 2027
Preferencing closes
Date: 6 May 2027 (subject to change)
Time: 10am
Initial offers
Date: 18 May 2027 (subject to change)
June 2027
Dental school exam results
Date: 2 June 2027
Upgrade deadline
Date: 3 June 2027
Time: 4pm
Hold deadline
Date: TBC
Transfer of information (TOI) to regions
Date: 9 June 2027
September 2027
Post commences
Date: 1 September 2027
Details of future rounds will be added once available.
Page last reviewed: 12 May 2026
Next review due: 12 May 2028