Dental Foundation Training

Dental Foundation Training is a national mandatory training programme for any dentist who wishes to become a Principal in NHS general dental practice, i.e. to hold their own contract with the Area Team.

New graduates work in approved practices and are employed as Foundation Dentists (FD's) by the Lead Employer. 

Educational Supervisors and FD’s are formed locally into one of 5 schemes comprising of 25 FD’s and their Educational Supervisors. Schemes are managed by Training Programme Directors, employed by the Postgraduate Dental Dean.

FD’s work a 35-hour week, are salaried, employed by the training practice and meet together on a regular basis to take part in 30 educational study days. Outside term-time FDs spend the whole of their 35-hour week in practice or the community.

The FDs written contract of employment with the Lead Employer (The Trainee's Contract) is nationally agreed. DFT within HEENW is normally completed on a full-time (1 year) basis.

Educational Supervisors are responsible for FDs' work and are trained in teaching skills and assessment methods. They conduct weekly tutorials with their FDs, supply them with help on demand and supervise their work as necessary. The development of peer and self-review and promotion of the need for professional education, training and audit as lifelong continuing processes are emphasised throughout Dental Foundation Training.

FDs keep weekly and monthly logs of their work and training experiences, undertake self-assessments and regular work-place based assessments. FDs keep their records of training through Professional Development Portfolios which are used by the Postgraduate Dental Dean as part of the evidence he reviews to assess FDs' satisfactory completion of Foundation Training.

Upon completion of Foundation Training, dentists receive Certificates of Completion signed by the Postgraduate Dental Dean. Dentists who possess such Certificates may be allocated dental list numbers by Area Teams, upon application, which enable them to work as principals in the General Dental Services.

Please note that DF Training Certificates will be issued at the end of Dental Foundation Training year.

Study Programme – General Information

Our study day programme will be made up of various educational packages which are comprised of various online webinars, self-directed learning exercises and small group peer review sessions. Face to face sessions and hands on study sessions.  You are expected to complete 30 study packages in order to satisfactorily complete the DFT programme. Any face to face study sessions will take please at our NW Dental Training Hub in Altrincham. 

Attendance and satisfactory engagement of all the study packages on the programme is an essential criterion of satisfactory completion of the DFT year.

Important Points to Remember

• Times of sessions – see course programme.
• In the event of unavoidable absence telephone, the TPD immediately.
• The start time for each session is indicated in the programme. It is worth remembering that this is the time at which the first session will begin and that you will be expected to be present before the start time. Late arrival at a session may well mean that you are recorded as being ‘absent’ for the session. When attending sessions at Altrincham please allow adequate time to reach the venue intime for registration. 
• A record of attendance will be kept. Non-attendance could prevent certification of completion of the DFT year.

Study Programme Term Dates 25-26

Attendance at the study sessions are an essential part of Dental Foundation Training and therefore holidays must NOT be taken during the study programme.