DFT - Dental Educational Supervisor Approval Process (DESAP)

The role of the Dental Educational Supervisor is to supervise and support a Foundation Dentist (FD) in primary dental care, so that the Foundation Dentist is able to work unsupervised in the general, personal and salaried dental services at the end of Dental Foundation Training (DFT).

Dental practitioners working in NHS dental practices within Wales, with at least 4 years GDS/CDS experience in the UK, can apply to become a Dental Educational Supervisor in January for schemes normally commencing the following September. Please see the job description, person and practice specification for further information on the role of a Educational Supervisor in general dental practice.

If you would like to discuss the Educational Supervisor role, please contact Gabrielle Lloyd, Dental Foundation Training Manager. You may also find the Educational Supervisor Handbook helpful in answering some of your queries. See application process flow.

Approval Process

HEIW Dental Foundation Training Educational Supervisor Approval Process (DESAP) for the 2026/2027 training year.

Please look out for the link to apply here from 12:00 midday on 20 January 2026.

For guidance, see the DESAP ES Guidance

Further information can be found DESAP Flyer

As well as the Dental Educational Supervisor Approval Application, the approval process will also involve:

• Developing Dental Educators course – is mandatory for all new Educational Supervisor applicants. Attendance on one of the HEIW 4-day courses is an essential requirement for all new ESs who do not hold an alternative Post Graduate qualification in Medical or Dental Education acceptable to HEIW. Please contact Emma Lloyd to register your interest.
• A new practice visits for all new applicants – scheduled to take place in May/June.
• QA annual practice visit and performance review for all existing applicants who are re-applying – scheduled to take place in January to February.
• Educational Supervisor sessions document – this is required for existing Educational Supervisors. HEIW monitor engagement and commitment of all Educational Supervisors to Dental Foundation Training. You are reminded that you are expected to undertake a minimum of 14 sessions within the Dental Foundation Training year (September – August) and attendance at sessions will be reviewed and included as part of the decision making process for reappointment of Educational Supervisors. The ES sessional commitment form is available for information below but this will now be completed via DESAP during January – February.
• HIW & LHB reports – HEIW will also collect reports from HIW and LHBs on each applicant. All the documentation and assessment criteria to be used in this process is available below for information.
• Equality & Diversity (E&D Training) – Treat me Fairly / Equality & Diversity Online Module (every 3 years), Information Governance / Record Keeping Module (annually),  Bullying and Harassment Module (annually) You are reminded that these modules are required.