Information

The Dental National Recruitment Office (DCTNRO) at NHS England - Midlands is coordinating the national process for recruiting trainees into Dental Core Training 1 Programmes across the UK.

COPDEND Website - Curriculum

Dental Core training consists of placements in hospital, community or general dental services and the type of training is described in the Dental Core Training Curriculum (https://www.copdend.org/postgraduate-training/header-dental-core-training/dental-core-training-curriculum/), as well as the anticipated outcome of the training programme.

Application Process & Eligibility Information

You can start your application via the Apply button.

The expected outcome of the training programme is the completion of a programme will lead to a Certificate of Achievement

Before applying, please read the Person Specification (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct/dental-core-training-recruitment/person-specifications-for-core-training) to assess your suitability for the post.

In order to assess whether or not you have the requisite competencies or equivalent, refer to the DCTNRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct).

Please upload all required evidence to your application form when completing it online. For those experiencing difficulties uploading evidence, please submit a ticket to Freshdesk (https://nhs-help.freshdesk.com/support/home).

All dental practitioners have been added to the Shortage Occupation List in the UK. This means that all medical practitioners are exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test (RLMT) and can apply for any dental specialty in any recruitment round, subject to eligibility.

It is strongly suggested that you read the ‘right to work in the UK’ (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/right-to-work-in-the-uk) to familiarise yourself with the immigration information contained within.

Key Dates and Information

Posts commence from Wednesday 2nd September 2026.

The expected duration of the programme is 1 year (unless otherwise specified) however the actual duration may depend on the circumstances of the individual.

Please note that the Dental National Recruitment Office and NHS England - Midlands have a strict application policy and will not accept applications submitted after the submissions deadline.

The Postgraduate Dental Dean confirms that these placements and/or programmes have the required educational and Dean’s approval. The Training Programme is equally open to those who may, either from the outset or subsequently, wish to train less than full time or job share.

Please visit DCTNRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct) to find out the following information:

• Overview of Dental Core Training (DCT)
• Recruitment Timeline
• Eligibility
• Applying
• Using Oriel to apply
• Situational Judgement Test SJT and Interviews
• Understanding posts and preferencing
• Ranking, offers and feedback
• Dental Core Training (DCT) posts
• Person specifications

Programme Preferences

When applying to DCT1, you will not need to give preferences of posts at the time of applying; just complete and submit an application. Should you be invited to interview, you will be provided with the opportunity from Thursday 9th April 2026 to give preferences of all posts available nationally, on Oriel.

The Programme Preference spreadsheet which can be found on the DCTNRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct/dct-posts-regions) gives detail of:

• A breakdown of the number of posts per level and region
• Contact details/website links for further information relating to each post, where available
• The training duration - the majority of posts are 12 months in length; however, some posts are 24 months in length
• Likely locations of posts and rotation details

Please note that post numbers/details are subject to change throughout the recruitment process and beyond.

Pay Scales

Each nation is responsible for agreeing the pay points on their respective Dental Trainee salary scales. These are subject to change due to national contract renegotiations and annual uplifts.

Applicants should familiarise themselves with the relevant pay circulars when applying for a training position.

Salaries are not protected and can increase or decrease when moving between nations or into a more senior post (e.g. from Dental Foundation Training to Dental Core Training)

If there is any uncertainty, applicants should seek support from the local office responsible for the post regarding the starting salary for their position before they apply.

The British Dental Association (BDA) website (https://bda.org/) provides a resource of information on pay for dentists in the whole of the UK. Their guidance advises you on any issues you may have such as pay scales, expenses and pay protection, providing you with the detailed support you may need.

Enquiries

Dental Core Training applicant guidance can be read on the DCTNRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct).

During the recruitment window please visit the DCTNRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-core-training-dct) regularly to access up-to-date information relating to this vacancy and information about the recruitment process.

For any queries that cannot be answered by the methods above please submit a ticket to Freshdesk (https://nhs-help.freshdesk.com/support/home).

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