Applying

Appointment to specialty training posts is decided by competitive interview and a clinical competency assessment.

The Application Process

For information on using Oriel, go to Using Oriel to Apply.

For each DST programme, you make a single application and state your order of preference between different geographical locations.

Steps to apply for specialty training:

1. Check you meet the eligibility requirements for the specialty you’re planning on applying for by reading that specialty's person specification
2. Complete the perparatory steps outlined below:

3. Register or sign in to Oriel, complete and submit an application

For more information about this the self assessment evidence upload process, visit the shortlisting page. 

Further Guidance

It is very important that you complete your application in full and include all relevant information for each section.

You must ensure that any work submitted or referenced is your own. Any plagiarism in applications will be treated extremely seriously and will result in further action being taken.

Submitted application forms will need to pass eligibility checks before they can be considered for shortlisting and/or interview.

Recruitment teams will ensure that applicants meet the following eligibility criteria in addition to any other programme-specific criteria:

• Immigration status and right to work in the UK.
• Elibility for registration with General Dental Council (GDC).
• English language skills as per the eligibility criteria and as demonstrated by registration with the appropriate regulator.
• Any examination/competency/experience requirements in line with the post.

By allowing applicants to progress to the shortlisting and/or interview stage, recruitment offices have not accepted or confirmed that applicants meet eligibility requirements. Applicants may still be withdrawn from the recruitment process at any stage, including after interviews have taken place if the evidence pertaining to an eligibility criterion is found to be unsatisfactory by the Recruitment Office.

Recruitment offices will not be able to make any changes to submitted application forms on Oriel. Applicants must therefore ensure that they check the content of their application form prior to submission as there will be no opportunity to correct mistakes at a later date.

Applicants with a disability

If you require reasonable adjustments due to a disability, you will be able to provide information on the application form.

You must tell us that you require reasonable adjustments in advance on the application form. There will be no opportunity to declare a need for reasonable adjustments after applications close unless there is a change in your circumstances.

You will be asked to upload evidence to support your request. For example, applicants with dyslexia will need to provide their educational psychology report. 

Disabled applicants are also able to request consideration for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme if they meet the essential eligibility criteria. You must inform us that you're requesting an interview under this scheme in advance through the application process by providing information on the application form.

Employment history

When you're completing the employment history section of the application form, you should declare all previous clinical experience.

This includes experience both inside and outside of the UK, in both training and service posts. You should also ensure that you detail any time spent out of work to ensure there are no unexplained career gaps.

References and pre-employment checks

NHS England will contact your referees only if you accept an offer.

We'll ask for references through Oriel. We'll ask you to provide the details of 3 referees on your online application. References will be shared with the local region or employer before you commence employment. 

All other pre-employment checks will be carried out by the local region or employer before you commence employment. Any training post offers will be made subject to satisfactory references and completion of pre-employment checks.

Fitness to Practise

If you make a Fitness to Practise declaration on your application form, you must complete a form and submit it to the lead recruiter providing more information. You must provide this when you apply.

For more information about how to do this and who to contact, go to the Fitness to Practise page.

Special circumstances

If you have a requirement to train in a particular location, you may wish to be considered for special circumstances.

For more information, go to the special circumstances page.

Less than full-time training (LTFT)

If you are applying to enter specialty training but are unable to train full time, you may apply for less than full-time training (LTFT). 

Find out more about flexible training opportunities .