The words to use
- BDS
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery, the UK dental degree, usually five years. It leads to registration with the GDC.
- Dental foundation training (DFT)
- A 12-month paid training year in NHS general practice after the BDS, with study days. It is the main route onto the NHS performers list.
- Dental core training (DCT)
- Up to three years of training posts in hospital or community dental services, often taken before specialty training.
- NHS tie-in
- A government plan, set out in July 2025, to require newly qualified dentists to work in the NHS for at least three years. Not law as of October 2026.
