What is Dental Foundation Training?

Dental Foundation Training is a one-year vocational training programme after Dental school. Its purpose is to “enhance clinical and administrative competence and promote high standards through relevant postgraduate training and meet the needs of general dental practice in the NHS” (Royal College of Surgeons).

Foundation Dentists (FDs) spend a year in approved practices undertaking training. It introduces graduate dentists to general dental practice under the supervision of an experienced dentist ‘educational supervisor’ (ES). In some practices, two dentists share this role. The ESs provide supervision and help where needed and deliver tutorials.

 

KSS and London Dental Foundation Training Site Recruitment 2027

The London and Kent, Surrey and Sussex regions have separate recruitment guidance documents.

Recruitment September 2027

London and KSS Regions Key Dates
Applications open:	1st October 2026
Applications close (09:00 am):	31st March 2027
Application outcome notification:	No later than 1st May 2027
Posts commence:	1st September 2027

 

London application guidance can be accessed here:

London New Site Application Guidance: link here

London Existing Site Application Guidance: link here

 

KSS application guidance can be accessed here:

KSS New Site Application Guidance: link here

KSS Existing Site Application Guidance: link here

 

Please submit your application via this link: New Site Application Form 

Please submit your application via this link: Existing Site Application Form 

 

For colleagues interested in acting as an Educational Supervisor for a Foundation Therapist, please follow this link. 

 

If you have specific questions pertaining to the programme and application process, please contact the relevant Dental Foundation Associate Dean.

For London - Davesh Patel, davesh.patel3@nhs.net 

For KSS - Peter Mauthe, peter.mauthe@nhs.net

 

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DFT Programme Details

FD’s work a 35-hour week, are salaried. Those on a 12 month programme are employed by our Lead employer - Royal London NHS Foundation Trust.  Those on a 24 month programme are employed by their accredited training practice. All groups meet regularly for educational study days.

Educational Supervisors and FD’s are formed locally into  schemes comprising of 14-16 FD’s and their Educational Supervisors. Schemes are managed by Training Programme Directors.

The FDs written contract of employment with the Educational Supervisor/Training Practice (The Trainee's Contract) is nationally agreed.

Upon satisfactory completion of Dental Foundation Training, dentists receive Certificates of Completion signed by the Postgraduate Dental Dean. Dentists who possess such Certificates are allocated NHS dental performer list numbers, upon application, which enable them to work in the General Dental Services.

The Dental team led by the Associate Dental Deans for Foundation Training, Davesh Patel & Peter Mauthe, are committed to helping dental foundation trainees across the region achieve their full potential as dentists, and to prepare them for a fulfilling and rewarding career in dentistry.

Training Programme Directors (TPD’s):

Each Dental Foundation Training Programme Director is responsible for different aspects of training within a given area, our TPDs are:

London:

• Ahmed Babikir
• Christian Small
• Kaamil Farooqi
• Sheena Patel
• Raj Mahendran
• Sushil John
• Tarik Shembesh
• Zoe  Kilick

 

KSS:

• Andrew Bayross
• Piotr Zukowski
• Parul Patel
• Sharon Biant