Dental training application dates — 2027 entry
Next key date: 4 November 2026 (in 4 days)
DFT: DFT Situational Judgement Test window opens — runs to 12 November 2026; the SJT is 100% of the DFT selection score.
Bold = date sourced from the linked NHS England, NES, NIHR or UCAS page · * = typical pattern from previous cycles, not yet confirmed. DFT applications for the September 2027 intake ran 23 July – 26 August 2026 and have closed. NHS England has published the DCT 2027 application window and offer dates, but its SJT, interview and preference-ranking dates still show the 2026 round, so those DCT rows are marked *.
What happens next
- 4 November 2026 — DFT: DFT Situational Judgement Test window opens (runs to 12 November 2026; the SJT is 100% of the DFT selection score)
- 9 November 2026 — NCDCE 1: Panel begins (9–11 November)
- 17 November 2026 — ACF: ACF 2027 applications close by (the last partnerships close; the earliest closed on 26 October 2026)
DFT — Dental Foundation Training (September 2027 intake)
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Applications open (Oriel) | 23 July 2026, 10am |
| Applications close | 26 August 2026, 10am |
| Situational Judgement Test window | 4 – 12 November 2026 (SJT = 100% of selection score) |
| Scheme information available | from mid-year 2027 (DFT applicant guide) |
| Preferencing opens | 7 April 2027 (subject to change) |
| Preferencing closes | 6 May 2027, 10am (subject to change) |
| Initial offers | 18 May 2027 (subject to change) |
| Dental school exam results | 2 June 2027, 12pm |
| Upgrade deadline | 3 June 2027, 4pm |
| Transfer of information to regions | 9 June 2027 |
| Posts start | 1 September 2027 |
DFT recruitment timeline (NHS England) · DFT applicant guide
Source timing note: the DFT applicant guide says 2027 scheme information will be available “from mid-year 2027”; the recruitment timeline separately schedules preferencing to open on 7 April 2027 (subject to change). Check both official pages for updates.
DVT — Dental Vocational Training, Scotland (NES), 2027/28 · NES: all dates subject to change
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Oriel opens for DVT applications | 16 September 2026, 12pm |
| Oriel closes for applications and supporting documents | 9 October 2026, 12pm |
| Application outcomes released via Oriel | by 1 December 2026 |
| Visitation opens — rural practices only (these can appoint directly) | 21 May 2027, 10am |
| Visitation opens for all other practices | 24 May 2027, 10am |
| Candidate preferencing window opens | 28 May 2027, 10am |
| Visitation and preferencing close; direct appointments end | 7 June 2027, 2pm |
| Matching results released on Oriel (48 hours to accept or reject) | 9 June 2027, 2pm |
| Clearing opens | 14 June 2027, by 4pm |
| Training posts start | 1 September 2027 |
DCT — Dental Core Training (September 2027 start · some stages awaited)
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Oriel adverts appear (DCT1 and DCT2/3) | 5 January 2027 |
| Applications open | 7 January 2027, 10am |
| Applications close | 28 January 2027, 4pm |
| SJT booking and assessment * | February – March (2026 round: SJT 11 – 18 March 2026); NHS England has not yet updated these dates for 2027 |
| Interviews and preference ranking * | April – May (2026 round: virtual interviews 27 April – 8 May 2026); NHS England has not yet updated these dates for 2027 |
| First offers released | 20 May 2027, 5pm |
| Hold deadline & feedback | 27 May 2027, 1pm |
| Upgrade deadline | 1 June 2027, 4pm |
| Posts start | 1 September 2027 |
StR — Dental Specialty Training (DST), September 2027 start
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Adverts appear on Oriel | 5 January 2027 |
| Applications open | 7 January 2027, 10am |
| Applications close | 28 January 2027, 4pm |
| Longlisting, shortlisting & self-assessment * | February – March |
| Interview window | 8 March – 19 May 2027 |
| Initial offers released | by 20 May 2027, 5pm |
| Hold deadline | 27 May 2027, 1pm |
| Upgrade deadline | 1 June 2027, 4pm |
| Posts start | from September 2027 |
| Orthodontics ST4 (separate timeline) | applications 7 – 28 January 2027 (closes 4pm) · selection centre (interview) 30 June 2027 · initial offers by 14 July 2027, 5pm · upgrade deadline 21 July 2027, 4pm |
| Dental Public Health (England) | recruitment paused for 2027 intake |
| Paediatric Dentistry | 2026 was the final ST4 recruitment; ST1 now a four-year run-through programme |
DST recruitment timeline · Orthodontics ST4 recruitment timeline · COPDEND national recruitment · Dental Public Health recruitment · Paediatric Dentistry recruitment
ACF — Academic Clinical Fellowships (NIHR), 2027 round
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Applications open between | 28 September 2026 and 20 October 2026 |
| Applications close between | 26 October 2026 and 17 November 2026 |
| Interview window opens | 28 October 2026 |
| Interview window closes | 8 January 2027 |
| Initial offers released from | 13 January 2027 |
| Hold deadline | 20 January 2027 |
| Allocated posts list published by NIHR | 7 September 2026 (list for 2027 recruitment) |
| Posts start * | September / October 2027 |
ACF recruitment timeline (NHS England) · NIHR dental ACF allocated posts 2027
NCDCE 1 — DCT2 programmes starting in 2027
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 31 August 2026, 10am |
| Applications close | 19 October 2026, 23:59 |
| Evidence uploads close | 21 October 2026, 4pm |
| Panel | 9–11 November 2026 |
| Appeals window | 13 November 2026, 12pm – 20 November 2026, 12pm |
| Outcome of appeals process | from 9 December 2026 |
NCDCE 2 — DCT3 and specialty programmes starting in 2027
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Applications open | 6 July 2026, 10am |
| Applications close | 1 September 2026, 23:59 |
| Evidence uploads close | 3 September 2026, 4pm |
| Panel | 21–23 September 2026 |
| Appeals window | 25 September 2026, 12pm – 2 October 2026, 12pm |
| Outcome of appeals process | from 22 October 2026 |
Dental schools — UCAS 2027 entry
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Equal-consideration deadline (most dentistry courses) | 15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time — check the course listing |
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