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 Dental Foundation Training Site Recruitment 2026
We are currently recruiting for new DFT sites in the KSS region.
KSS New Site Application Guidance (Clicking the link will open another tab on your browser)
Please submit your application via this link: APPLICATION FORM
If you have specific questions pertaining to the programme and application process, please contact the Dental Foundation Associate Dean.
For KSS - Peter Mauthe, peter.mauthe@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
- Ahmed Babikir
- Subhan Tauheed
- Raj Mahendran.
- Tauseef Mahmood
- Andrew Bayross
- Kaxa Patel
- Christian Small
