Dental vocational (foundation) training
Dental Vocational Training (DVT) is organised and administered on a Scotland-wide basis by NHS Education for Scotland (NES). The main components of DVT include: a centralised recruitment process and a standardised training programme designed to help recently qualified dentists make the transition from undergraduate teaching to independent practice.
Trainee Recruitment
Dental Vocational Training (DVT)
Recruitment to Training Year 2026/27 commences in September 2025.
The application window to apply for Dental Vocational Training posts in Scotland is now closed.
Vocational Training Allowances are determined within the Statement of Dental Remuneration on the Scottish Dental website. Any details, including VT Salary information, can be found here Statement of Dental Remuneration | Scottish Dental
Vocational Training in Scotland 2026/27 - Webinar
The NES dental team held an informative VT recruitment webinar on Tuesday, 19th August, which can be viewed via the following link: https://vimeo.com/1113921763
DVT Recruitment Timeline
|
Date |
Recruitment Activity |
|
Wednesday, 10th September 2025 at 12pm |
Oriel opens for DVT applications |
|
Wednesday, 15th October 2025 at 12pm |
Oriel closes for DVT applications and supporting documents upload |
|
By Monday, 1st December 2025 |
Application Outcomes released via Oriel |
|
Friday, 29th May 2026 10am to Monday, 1st June 2026 |
Visitation opens Rural Trainer Prospectus live on DTIS and Rural practices eligible to make direct appointments |
|
Monday, 1st June 2026 at 10am |
Remaining Trainer Prospectus live on DTIS |
*Please note all above dates are subject to change
Longitudinal Foundation Training (LDFT)
Applicants who applied for DVT by the closing date will be given the opportunity to register interest for the LDFT programme and will be contacted by NES once longlisting has been completed.
Details of the programme can be found within the LDFT Booklet.
Person Specification for applicants to LDFT: LDFT Person Spec
Therapist Vocational Training (TVT)
Therapist Vocational Training (TVT) recruitment is organised and administered on a Scotland-wide basis by NHS Education for Scotland (NES).
Dental Therapy is a discipline which requires a particular set of skills and knowledge. Vocational training has emerged as a means of developing these skills in new dental therapist graduates. The accepted model of vocational training comprises 12 months of supervised clinical experience in an approved training practice or clinic; supplemented by an educational programme, which includes tutorials and study days.
The below documents will be published on this website shortly.
TVT recruitment timeline
TVT Information Booklet
TVT Person Specification
Trainer Recruitment
Applications are open for Vocational Training Year 2026-27
If you have not already used the DTIS system, you can register to apply here: https://nes-dtis.azurewebsites.net/Public/Register.
If you have used DTIS as a trainer before then you can log in as you have done previously to apply, Log in - NES DTIS
The NES dental team hosted an information webinar for those considering applying to become a Vocational Trainer on Tuesday 23rd September at 7pm. You can watch it here:
Becoming a Dental Vocational Trainer - Recorded Webinar
Trainer Recruitment Timeline
|
Date |
Recruitment Activity |
|
Monday 6th October 10am |
DTIS Opens for trainer applications |
|
Monday 8th December 12 noon |
Closing date for NEW trainer applications |
|
Monday 26th January 12 noon |
Closing date for current + returning* trainers *A returning trainer is an applicant who has NOT been out of VT for more than the last two training cycles |
|
By 1st April |
Outcomes issued to trainers |
|
w/c 13th April Friday 8th May |
Access for DTIS to complete prospectus Prospectus deadline |
Trainer Recruitment Documents
Contact us
Recruitment Enquiries
If you have any feedback, comments, concerns or complaints regarding the Dental Recruitment process, please contact us by going to the Service Desk here and submitting a support request.
Training Specific Enquiries
In relation to training specific enquiries please contact the VT Hub at vthub@nes.scot.nhs.uk.
Last updated: Wednesday, October 15, 2025