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Dental foundation schemes

Two young doctor smiling

Dental Foundation Training (DFT) is normally undertaken during the first two or three years following graduation.

Graduates join as salaried performers in approved practices with General Dental Practitioners who have been appointed as Educational Supervisors. During the three academic terms, the Foundation Dentists attend an educational day release programme designed to educate them in both the clinical and the administrative aspects of NHS dentistry. Educational Supervisors are required to attend specific educational activities to equip them for their supervisory and training responsibilities.

Wales has the following dental foundation schemes which all commence in September of each year.

View and download the Dental Foundation Training Handbook, 2024.

Cardiff and Barry

The Study Day centre for Cardiff and Barry Scheme is based in the Postgraduate Centre at Llandough Hospital, which is situated approximately 4 miles from Cardiff city centre, the capital city of Wales.

Glamorgan Vale and Beacons

The Glamorgan, Vale and Beacons Scheme is based at The Dental Teaching Unit at Porth, a state of the Art multi-disciplinary training unit with excellent training facilities including an 18 unit phantom head training room and a dedicated 100 seater lecture theatre.

Newport and East Wales

The Newport & East Wales Scheme normally compromises practices all within easy driving distance of Cardiff and Newport. The practices are well equipped with good staff and ample patient numbers.

North Wales

The North Wales Dental Foundation Year is a long established scheme with its own distinctive character. Established in 1989, it has proved very popular with trainees over the years and launched many successful careers.

Swansea and West Wales

The Study Day centre for the Swansea and West Wales Scheme is based at the Education Centre at Morriston Hospital, Swansea.

Swansea Vale

The Swansea Vale Scheme normally compromises of practices all within a reasonable driving distance of Swansea, Bridgend and Port Talbot.