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NHS Education for Scotland

A skilled and sustainable workforce for a healthier Scotland

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.

The DVT Curriculum Competency Framework is organised into four ‘Domains’ of competency, each of which contain a number of ‘Major Competency’ areas within which the individual competency statements are described. An overview of the Domains and Major Competencies within the DVT Competency Framework can be reviewed by clicking on the link below. 

VT Curriculum and Competencies Document 2024

Vocational Training in Scotland 2025/26 - Webinar 

The Dental Team held an informative VT visitation and recruitment webinar on Tuesday, 20th August. Here is a recording of this webinar

This resource can be made available in full or summary form, in alternative formats and community languages. 

Please email: nes.dentaldigitaleducationteam@nhs.scot to discuss how we can best meet your requirements. 

 

Trainee Recruitment Section

Recruitment to Training Year 2025/26 commences in September 2024. Applications open on Oriel on 11th September 2024 and close on 16th October 2024.

To apply, please view the advert here

Recruitment Timeline

Date 

  Recruitment Activity 

Wednesday, 11th September 2024 at 12pm 

Oriel opens for DVT applications 

Wednesday, 16th October 2024 at 12pm 

Oriel closes for DVT applications and supporting documents upload 

By Monday, 2nd December 2024 

Application Outcomes released via Oriel  

Friday, 16th to Monday 19th May 2025  

Rural Trainer Prospectus live on DTIS and Rural practices eligible to make direct appointments (Visitation open for Rural Practices only)  

Monday, 19th May 2025 at 10am to Friday 30th May 2025 at 10am  Remaining Trainer Prospectus live on DTIS and direct appointments can be made (Visitation open for all other practices) 

 Friday 30th May 2025 at 10am 

Candidate preferencing available on Oriel 

Friday,6th June 2025 at 10am 

Candidate preferencing window closes 

Tuesday, 10th June 2025 at 10am 

Matching Results Released via Oriel 

Thursday, 12th June 2025 by 5pm 

Clearing Opens  

Monday, 1st September 2025 

Training posts commence 

*Please note all above dates are subject to change

DVT Information Booklet 2025-2026

DVT Person Specification 2025-2026

NES 2025-2026 DVT Applicant Guide

DVT Structured Reference Form 2025-2026

 

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

Trainer Recruitment Section

Applications for DVT Trainer Recruitment 2025/2026 will open on Monday, 14th October 2024 at 10am. Applications can be submitted via the following link

The closing date for applications is Friday, 6th December 2024 at 12pm for new Trainer Applications.   

For existing Trainer Applications, the closing date is Monday, 27th January 2025 at 12pm.    

For information on Trainer Recruitment please see documents below:  

VT Trainer Advert for Training Year 2025/2026

Criteria for Trainers

Becoming a Vocational Trainer Booklet

Becoming a Vocational Trainer FAQs

Recruitment timeline

Date 

Recruitment Activity 

Monday, 14th October 2024 at 10am 

Portal opens for all trainer applications  

Friday, 6th December 2024 at 12pm 

Closing date for DVT new trainer applications  

 Monday, 27th January 2025 at 12pm 

Closing date for DVT existing and returning* trainer applications   

October 2024 - March 2025 

DVT trainer screening & reviews 

Early April 2025 

DVT trainer review outcomes issued to trainers 

Wednesday, 16th April 2025 

Access to DTIS and completion of practice prospectus 

Wednesday, 7th May 2025 at 10am 

Deadline for submission of practice prospectus 

Friday, 16th May 2025 at 10am 

DVT visitation period starts – rural practices only  

Monday, 19th May 2025 at 10am 

DVT visitation period starts – all other practices 

 Friday, 30th May 2025 at 10am 

 

DVT preference list opens 

Friday, 6th June 2025 at 10am 

DVT preference list deadline   

Tuesday, 10th June 2025 at 10am 

DVT matching results released 

 Thursday, 12th June 2025 by 5pm  

 

DVT clearing opens (direct appointments) 

Monday, 1st September 2025   

New trainees commence training programme 

*A returning trainer is an applicant who has NOT been out of VT for more than the last two training cycles

If you have any queries in relation to the application process, please contact the Trainee Service team using the contact link below: 

https://nesdigital.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/30   

 

The Dental Team held a 'Becoming a Dental Vocational Trainer' webinar on Tuesday, 24th of September 2024. To view the recording, please click here

 

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: Friday, October 11, 2024

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