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DFT WERO returns! Enhancing opportunities for dental trainees and strengthening the workforce in rural Wales

Published 03/02/2025

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is delighted to announce the return of the Welsh Enhanced Recruitment Offer (WERO) for Dental Foundation Training (DFT) in 2025/6. This initiative continues to address the challenge of unfilled training posts in rural Wales while improving access to essential dental services for local communities.

Many new dental graduates tend to choose urban areas for their DFT year, leaving rural practices under-staffed and struggling to meet local demand. In 2021/22, 6% of rural DFT vacancies went unfilled, which significantly impacted NHS dental services in those regions. In response, HEIW launched the DFT WERO scheme in 2022, offering incentives to encourage trainees to take up placements in rural practices across West, North, and Central Wales.

The WERO scheme offers a comprehensive support package to attract and retain skilled dental trainees in rural Wales, including:
• £7,000 rural living grant
• Weekly comprehensive study day programme
• College membership exam fees covered
• £600 study budget for exam preparation
• Access to free online learning resources
• Wellbeing support

 

The scheme has previously proven successful, both in meeting recruitment targets and delivering high-quality experiences for trainees.

In the 2023/4 cohort, 100% of trainees rated their placements positively, with 80% giving a perfect 5/5 rating. Trainees valued the transparent recruitment process, which allowed them to secure placements that aligned with their personal and professional goals, in advance of national recruitment. Additionally, 90% of trainees chose to remain in Wales after their DFT year, showcasing the long-term impact of the scheme in building a sustainable workforce.

Testimonials from the 2024/5 DFT WERO trainees highlight the program’s success:

  • “I applied to the DFT WERO scheme because one of my Liverpool tutors recommended it to me. I'm so thankful I did because I've learned so much… I've gained lots of clinical experience and become a more skilled practitioner. We've taken on more difficult cases, such as complex endodontics or surgical extractions, because secondary care isn’t as accessible in rural areas.”
  • "A brilliant and friendly team. The practice was modern, well-equipped, and if I needed anything different, they were more than happy to order it in. My Educational Supervisor was fantastic, always on hand to answer any questions and tailor tutorials to suit my needs."
  • “A great team to work with and extremely supportive! I've been given lots of training, freedom to learn, and the chance to build confidence in treating patients.”

The WERO scheme offers more than clinical training—it also allows trainees to explore the beautiful landscapes and lifestyle of rural Wales, a unique opportunity they may not find elsewhere. William Howell, owner of Cardigan Dental Practice, a participating practice, said: “Cardigan offers so much, from a thriving town centre to its beautiful beaches and countryside. We will do everything to make trainees feel welcome, and I’m sure they’ll fall in love with the area just like we have.”

The WERO initiative opens on 3 February 2025 to new UK graduates who have trained in Wales, are Welsh domiciled or have an existing link to Wales.

Please note these posts are not eligible for temporary registration with the GDC.

To find out more, visit the WERO webpage