Introduction to DFT
DFT provides you with a broad overview of career choices and a good understanding of the NHS system. DFT will introduce you to primary care dentistry in a supported environment. You will have at least one Educational Supervisor (ES) in the same practice to provide supervision, help, and regular tutorials.
During DFT you will usually spend four days a week practising dentistry, and one on day release at the study day course, plus regular in-practice tutorials with your ES. Throughout your training, you will need to complete an e-portfolio recording and reflecting on your progress and providing evidence for the Interim Record of Competency Panel (IRCP) and Final Record of Competency Panel (FRCP).
Upon successful completion, you will receive your Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Dental Foundation Training and will be able to enter the NHS Performers List.
Types of DFT
One-year scheme
Most DFT places fall under the one-year scheme. In this set up, you will work exclusively in your assigned training practice providing a full range of NHS treatments. The training includes a minimum of 30 study days which are a blend of online and in-person sessions that follow the national DFT curriculum.
Two-year scheme
The key advantage of two-year schemes is that you will not need to go through another recruitment process to enter Dental Core Training (DCT1), which is required following a standard one-year DFT scheme.
Two tier schemes offer an integrated experience with a diverse range of options available, from general dental practice, community dental services, and hospital settings. Hospitals often cover a variety of dental specialties as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery. This extended training prepares you for a broad range of dental work through a programme of rotations to other settings on a weekly, six-monthly, eight-monthly, or annual basis.
DFT is a chance to explore and determine the right career path for you. It assists in identifying areas for potential specialisation and acquiring additional skills. Getting into the schemes is competitive but rank your preferred scheme first and assess your options.
These schemes often include additional study days to prepare for postgraduate examinations, in addition to DFT study days. Typically, you can expect around 60 study days across the two years.
North East GPT/LDFT
In Northeast GPT/LDFT, FDs switch between working in practice and dental hospitals. You will complete the following across the two years:
- One year in restorative dentistry, including conservation, prosthodontics, and periodontics. This includes sessions on sedation, radiology, implant clinic, oral medicine, consultant clinics, periodontal surgery, and special care dentistry
- Four months in oral surgery, covering Minor Oral Surgery (MOS), consultant clinics, and general anaesthetic
- Four months in paediatric dentistry, involving treatment clinics, child emergency clinics, trauma clinics, inhalation sedation, and paediatric and orthodontic consultant clinics (usually not for active orthodontic treatment)
- Four months primarily on the dental emergency clinic, with some time on radiology.
Yorkshire and the Humber LDFT
In Yorkshire and the Humber, Joint Dental Foundation Core Training (JDFCT), combines practice in primary and secondary care over two years with rotations equally split between the placements. It combines one year of DFT and one year of DCT with trainees alternating between the two posts throughout the programme. Each trainee has separate Educational Supervisors for each post.
Academic Clinical Fellow
You can apply for academic opportunities through the central application process. The academic recruitment process usually starts in February of the starting year. If you are appointed to a post, you will spend the first two months in general dental practice, and later dedicate one day a week to research activities within a dental school.
Scheme information
The National Recruitment Office (NRO) provides a yearly information sheet on available schemes. Look at where they are located, but remember, training practices are not usually approved until spring, so check back for the specifics.
The preferencing process is competitive, so try to be flexible and maximise your chances of getting a place by being willing to spend your training year in any regions covered by the process. Rate as many schemes as you can because not preferencing a scheme means no place. Individual training practices may change each year as trainers need to reapply, but the schemes tend to remain the same.
COPDEND and NHS England provide an up-to-date list of deanery regions and deans/directors.
DFT recruitment process and timeline
The DFT recruitment process follows a similar timeline each year:
Online application via Oriel
DFT applications run on a centralised system that assigns individuals to specific schemes and practices. The application process is competitive and open to UK and EU graduates, applicants who did not receive a place previously, and certain overseas dentists who have passed GDC registration exams. This means that the number of applicants usually exceed the available places.
When you are a final-year UK student, you should attend the briefing sessions provided to ensure that you are prepared for the process. Applications are managed by a national recruitment team hosted by NHSE, with NHSE London and Southeast responsible for running the application and assessment system. Make sure to read all provided information before applying, as submitting your application confirms your understanding of the process.
There is no possibility to make changes to your application once submitted. DFT places commence each year in September, marking the beginning of an exciting journey in your dental career.
SJTs
DFT applicants are required to sit an SJT through an online system at a Pearson Vue test centre to receive a national ranking number. To support your DFT application, we have prepared an SJT mock exam course. The course consists of 50 cases which have been designed to practise a broad range of scenarios. After, you will be able to compare your results with recommended answers.
Our mock exam follows the COPDEND format, and all scenarios and recommended responses have been reviewed and examined by young professionals and experienced dentists. The course is hosted on our CPD hub and can be taken as many times as you wish.
Local allocation to practices
Placements happen by deaneries assigning Foundation Dentists (FDs) directly or organising events. The national ranking decides who gets their first choice. Each scheme typically has 12-14 FDs but check the allocation method with your NHSE WTD office/deanery.
The second step in the recruitment process takes place in the summer, when you are assigned to a practice. You might attend an event to meet your trainer or visit potential practices. You will be informed of timescales and any process changes each year. Make sure you are aware of timelines over summer and be ready to handle paperwork such as GDC registration or finding accommodation.
Meet and greet events
Some HEE/NHSE offices/deaneries organise meet and greet events. These give you a chance to meet educational supervisors all in one place. Sometimes, you may be asked for your CV; our advice sheet for writing CVs and downloadable templates can support you.
The allocation of trainees to practices varies across different regions or deaneries. After meeting supervisors, you might be invited to rank them in order of your preference. Often the student with the highest assessment score gets first choice. Some offices let supervisors rank applicants too as part of a matching process.
Preparing for meet and greet events
Before meet and greet events, think about the questions you want to ask so you can gain insights into the different practices you are considering.
Alternative options to DFT
If you are not successful in securing a DFT place, there are other paths to explore until the next round opens.
