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.


New Dental Foundation Training Practices for September 2024

Applications are now open for new dental foundation training practices in the London and KSS area. Application guidance can be accessed here:  Guide Here 

Clicking the link will download a PDF file on your device. 

Applications Open: 3 October 2023, closing date TBC

Programme start date: 1 September 2024

Please submit your application via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/guAJFdsvBK

If you have specific questions pertaining to the programme and application process, please contact the Dental Foundation Associate Dean for London - Davesh Patel, davesh.patel3@nhs.net 


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:

  • Sushil John
  • Piotr Zukowski
  • Parul Patel
  • Sharon Biant
  • Tarik Shembesh
  • Nikita Vora
  • Ahmed Babikir
  • Subhan Tauheed
  • Raj Mahendran. 
  • Tauseef Mahmood
  • Priya Arora
  • Kaxa Patel