DFT WERO: Strengthening dental workforce recruitment, retention and patient access in rural Wales

Published: 23/04/2026

The Welsh Enhanced Recruitment Offer (DFT WERO) continues to deliver strong results in addressing long-standing challenges in recruiting and retaining early career dentists in rural Wales.

Historically, the majority of newly qualified dentists have chosen to undertake Dental Foundation Training (DFT) in urban settings, leaving some rural training practices underserved, contributing to reduced NHS dental access in these communities. In response, HEIW launched DFT WERO in 2023, offering local recruitment alongside an enhanced financial and professional support package for trainees undertaking DFT in designated rural practices across West, North and Central Wales.

The enhanced support offer includes a rural living grant and funded professional exams to widen career development opportunities. The package is reviewed annually and adapted in response to trainee feedback and the wider economic context, demonstrating a responsive and evolving approach to workforce challenges.

The impact on recruitment

Since its introduction, DFT WERO has achieved a 100% fill rate in all posts, representing a sustained improvement in recruitment to historically hard‑to‑fill rural practices:

• 2023–24 (pilot): 10/10 posts filled
• 2024–25: 15/15 posts filled
• 2025–26: 14/14 posts filled

And we are pleased to announce that we have once again achieved 100% fill rate for 2026-27 having successfully recruited into 13 practices.

The impact on retention

Evaluation of previous cohorts shows that DFT WERO is not only improving recruitment but also supporting retention of dentists within rural Wales. A follow-up survey of previous WERO trainees revealed:

• 2023–24: 90% of trainees remained in Wales
• 2024–25: 70% remained in Wales, with most continuing to work in the same rural practice
• 2025–26: 90% intend to remain in Wales after completing DFT WERO

Given the high level of trainee interest in remaining in their rural practices following DFT WERO, HEIW, in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, launched the WERO+1 initiative in 2024–25. This enabled trainees to undertake a second year in their practices and also achieve Dental Core Training (DCT) equivalence in rural West Wales. This career progression also enabled the trainees to deliver intermediate oral surgery care to patients in primary care under specialist supervision. Traditionally, all DCT posts have been based in secondary or community care settings in more urban areas. Following the success of the pilot, WERO+1 will be relaunched and offered again in 2026–27.

The impact on training experience & education

Trainee feedback has been consistently strong, with 100% of DFT WERO trainees rating their posts positively across all cohorts. Feedback highlights:

• A more personal and locally delivered recruitment process, with earlier confirmation of placements
• High‑quality training within supportive and friendly practice teams
• Broader clinical exposure in areas of high oral health need
• Opportunities to use and develop Welsh language skills

Hear from our current WERO trainees:

The impact on services and patient care

DFT WERO practices are located in areas with limited access to NHS dental services (also known as ‘dental desserts’).

Embedding trainees within these communities has directly increased appointment availability and contributed to reducing long-standing health inequalities.

WERO+1 posts have further strengthened local service delivery. Since the scheme began across participating practices, there have been:

• No Level 2a oral surgery referrals
• Reduced pressure on secondary care services
• Improved urgent access to NHS dental care
• Successful management of complex oral surgery cases within primary care settings

A recent case over the Christmas period demonstrated the service impact and value of DCT‑led services in rural settings. A patient who presented to A&E in significant pain, following a failed extraction in practice elsewhere, was redirected via the NHS 111 urgent dental pathway and received timely management of a complex case by one of the DFT WERO+1 trainees, avoiding further escalation and reducing pressure on secondary care services.

Through innovation and collaboration, the DFT WERO and WERO+1 initiatives have established a training pathway that strengthens recruitment, retention and workforce distribution. Together, they are transforming rural Wales into a sustainable training environment that supports high-quality patient care.