Dental Specialty Training
Specialty training in Scotland is recruited both Nationally, by NHS England, and locally, by NHS Education for Scotland.
Dental Specialty Training
Specialty training leads to inclusion on one of the GDC’s specialist lists. The training period depends on the specialty and varies from three to five years.
Scotland offers programmes in Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology, Dental Public Health, Endodontics, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Restorative Dentistry and Special Care Dentistry.
Specialty training in Scotland is recruited both nationally, by NHS England, and locally, by NHS Education for Scotland dependant on what specialty you are applying to.
National Recruitment to Specialty Training (NHS England Recruitment Offices)
For information including timetables, recruitment documents and how to apply, please go to the COPDEND website.
Recruitment for Dental Specialty Training in Orthodontics, Paediatrics and Oral Surgery will be carried out on a UK-wide basis.
Specialty training 2026 national recruitment timetable
Specialty training 2026 national person specifications
Recruitment 2026
ST1 Oral Surgery - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
ST1 Oral Surgery - NHS Tayside
ST1 Orthodontics - NHS Tayside
ST4 Orthodontics - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
ST4 Orthodontics - NHS Lothian/NHS Fife
ST1 Paediatric Dentistry - NHS Lothian
ST1 Paediatric Dentistry - NHS Tayside
Local Recruitment to Specialty Training
Specialty training results in eligibility for inclusion on one of the GDC’s specialist lists. The duration of training varies by specialty and typically lasts between three and five years.
Applications are now open for the 2026/27 Training Year, starting in September 2026. Details of each post, including the relevant advert and application information, can be found in the list of vacancies below.
Recruitment 2026
ST1 Dental and Maxillofacial Radiology - Applications
ST1 Dental Public Health - Applications
ST1 Oral Medicine - Applications
ST1 Restorative Dentistry - Applications
Post Descriptor - West of Scotland
Post Descriptor - South East Scotland
ST1 Special Care Dentistry - Applications
The curriculum information for the above posts in Dental Specialty Training can be found here.
Please note - applications are not considered complete until your self-assessment form has been submitted to HR Trainee Services – Service Desk (HR Trainee Services - Jira Service Management (atlassian.net)). When submitting your self-assessment, please include your Jobtrain candidate ID number so we can match it to your application.
If you have any queries about speciality training in Scotland, please contact us by going to the Service Desk here and submitting a support request.
Last updated: 01/02/2024