Dental foundation training Welsh enhanced recruitment offer (DFT WERO)

Complete your dental foundation training (DFT) year with enhanced financial, academic and wellbeing support.

DFT WERO is a local recruitment initiative. We are offering an enhanced support package for trainees who complete dental foundation training (DFT) in specific rural dental practices in West, North and Central Wales.

WERO is evolving to better support those who want to make a long-term difference. If you're motivated by: 

• Real clinical experience in diverse, rewarding settings 

• Early allocation to DFT and meaningful support 

• A genuine opportunity to stay and build your future in Wales 
  …then apply for DFT WERO 2026! 

The benefits of WERO

• Opportunity to study in a high quality DFT programme in rural Wales 
• Rural living grant to help with living costs - £3,000 (previously £7,000).  The grant has been reduced because DFT salaries in Wales are now the highest in the UK following recent national pay uplifts. Adding a £7,000 grant would push earnings above those of a DCT3 trainee, potentially destabilising structured pay and career progression. 
  This change ensures the programme remains sustainable, fair, and focused on long-term workforce development – not just a one-year incentive.
• Outstanding weekly study day programme covering core and frequently requested topics, rated highly by previous trainees
• Membership Part 1 exam fees paid by HEIW (the cost of one sitting will be refunded once passed)
• £600 study budget available to be used towards MFDS exam preparation or similar
• Free access to high quality training materials and facilities
• Quality Improvement (QI) training provided, and support to run and publish your own QI projects
• Pastoral and wellbeing support via your Training Programme Director and HEIW’s Professional Support Unit (PSU)
• Know where you have a place for DFT in April, three months before offers come out via the National Recruitment system
• Live in the beautiful Welsh countryside with excellent access to outdoor pursuits.

Who can apply for WERO?

• Must have participated in the national DFT recruitment process, including SJTs in November for entry the following September. 
• HEIW confirms eligibility with DFTNRO; longlisted candidates invited to local interview (March). 
• You must meet the DFT NR Person Specification and DFT WERO Person Specification.
• As this scheme aims to enhance recruitment to the Welsh workforce, you must have a pre-existing link to Wales. For example, be Welsh domiciled, speak Welsh, or have previously lived or studied in Wales. If you don’t fit with any of these criteria, but you have family or other strong links to Wales, you may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Please note:

• These posts are not eligible for temporary GDC registration. 

• Applicants must not have previously completed DFT or VT. 

Why was WERO created?

Some dental practices in rural parts of Wales may not be a trainee’s first preference when choosing a region to work in, despite having excellent quality of training and very positive reviews from past trainees.

In order to incentivise these posts, Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) have launched a new initiative called WERO (Welsh Enhanced Recruitment Offer for Dentistry).

The full support package is listed below and includes enhanced training opportunities and a one-off rural living grant to reflect the cost of relocating to a new area and also maintain existing social contacts. We hope that this will have the added benefit of showing trainees a wonderful new area of the country they may not have previously considered working in.

Local recruitment intake for 2026/2027

Please take note of key dates and ensure you make the necessary arrangements for time off to attend key elements of the process.

FAQs

Key Information