What is Dental Foundation Training?
Dental Foundation Training is a one-year vocational training programme after Dental school. It’s 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 gradate 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.
Dental Foundation Training Practices for September 2023
The list of approved training practices for London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex can be found on the following link - List Here
Clicking the link will download an Excel file to your device.
Please be advised that the list is subject to change prior to September 2023.
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 Dean for Foundation Training (Sana Movahedi & Amitha Ranuata), 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:
- Peter Mauthe
- Kellie Downie
- Parul Patel
- Sharon Biant
- Tarik Shembesh
- Nikita Vora
- Sushil John
- Saagar Patel
- Raj Mahendran.
- Davesh Patel,
- Priya Arora
- Kaxa Patel
