Information

ST4 Orthodontic Recruitment 2026   

NHSE Workforce Training & Education - Northeast and North Cumbria will once again be co-ordinating a single UK wide national process for recruiting trainees into Orthodontic training programmes at ST4 level across all regions in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales 2026. 

All posts are to provisionally commence from September/October 2026. 

Timeline 

A full timeline for the round can be found on the National Recruitment website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-recruitment-timeline-st4) (NRO)

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 1st July 2026. This interview process will be virtual.

Applicants that are invited to interview will need to ensure that work commitments are scheduled to allow time off for attendance. There will be no alternative interview dates available. 

Vacancies 

Please see the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4) for details on post numbers and post information.

All vacancies advertised are subject to change based on service, education, training configuration and the results of the Membership in Orthodontics examinations. 

Application Process 

Applications are equally open to those who may, either from the outset or subsequently, wish to train less than full time or job share. 

Please note that there is a strict application policy that applications cannot be accepted after the deadline. 

Before you complete your application, it is imperative that you read the information available on the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4).

The website contains specific and detailed information with regards to the posts available so please read them thoroughly to ensure that you fill out your application form and rank your preferences correctly.

Please ensure you upload all the required evidence to support your application form, as this be required at longlisting. Evidence relating to the self-assessment form will be uploaded to a separate portal. Applicants will be advised of this once long listing is complete.

You will not be able change your application once it has been submitted. Any queries regarding your application can be emailed to; england.enquireisnroorthodontics.nhs.net

For further information regarding the individual programmes/units, please refer to the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4).

All schemes advertised are subject to change based on service, education and training configuration.

Interview Process 

Length of interview and structure: Interview information is available on the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4).

Programme Preferences: Preferencing is anticipated to open at 10am on 6th July 2026 and close at 4pm on 10th July 2026.  Applicants will be emailed to advise when preferences have opened.  Applicants will have the opportunity to rank all programmes across the UK. Further information on programme preferencing is available on the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4). 

Offer Date: Offers will be made via Oriel no later than 15th July 2025 (sic) (NB Presume this should be 15 July 2026). 

Research and CCST: At the time of interview applicants will be required to produce supporting documentation to confirm that they are on schedule to be eligible for entry to the specialist list in Orthodontics. Applicants must be on the GDC specialist list (Orthodontics) or within 3 months of being eligible for their CCST at the time of interview.

Eligibility to work in the UK  

If your employment is subject to immigration control, you should refer to the relevant page on the website for information about how this will affect your application. In some cases, applications will not be considered or only considered once the resident labour market test can be satisfied. 

Fitness to Practice 

If you have made a positive declaration in the Fitness to Practice (FTP) section of the application, you MUST email: england.enquiriesnroorthodontics@nhs.net by close of the application window. Please refer the relevant page on the NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/fitness-to-practise) for the information you must include. Failure to email the information by close of application may result in your application being withdrawn. 

Salary

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 the position before they apply.

The British Dental Association (BDA) website (link to 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.

NRO website (https://dental.hee.nhs.uk/dental-trainee-recruitment/dental-specialty-training/orthodontics-st4/overview-of-orthodontics-st4/orthodontics-overview-st4)

For any queries that cannot be answered please contact; england.enquiresnroorthodontics@nhs.net

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