Chapter 2
The application process

Chapter Menu

1. DF1 recruitment process
2. How to apply
3. Key dates
4. DF1 schemes - where to work
5. DF1 interview - format
6. Scotland applications

DF1 recruitment process

All DF1 training vacancies are allocated through a centralized process for England, Northern Ireland and Wales. The online application process usually opens in the month of September for all UK-based year 5 dental students and EU graduates or overseas dentists.

The recruitment process is split in two stages:

• First stage - trainees are first allocated a particular DFT (dental foundation training) scheme. This is based on their DFT interview score ranking. The higher the candidates' ranking scores, the greater is the likelihood of them obtaining their first scheme preference and so forth.
• Second stage - trainees are allocated a particular practice in spring / summer of the following year. The individual practices are allocated through the DFT interview ranking scores, so those with the highest scores will receive their first preference practice and so forth. Some schemes carry out second-round interviews, where an algorithm is used to pair up trainee preferences with educational supervisor preferences.

It is important to understand that the DFT application process is competitive. The number of DFT training places is generally linked to the number of final-year students but places cannot be guaranteed for all UK graduates and it is therefore of utmost importance that all students give themselves the best opportunity to secure a place.

Over the past few years the number of candidates applying has exceeded the number of DF1 positions available with EU and oversees dental applicants also applying.

Table 2.1 shows the data collected for the application years 2011/12 and 2012/13 from the Committee of Postgraduate Dental Deans and Directors (COPDEND).

Table 2.1 data collected for the application years 2011/12 and 2012/13 from COPDEND

Numbers 2011/12 England and Wales EEA United Kingdom ROW 2012/13 England and Wales EEA United Kingdom ROW Places Total 927 978 Applicants Total 1190 101 1044 45 1172 110 1031 31 Applicants eligible and short listed 1145 97 1042 6 1153 109 1027 17 Applicants interviewed 1110 86 1018 6 1138 104 1021 13 Applicants offered place 940 47 889 4 1040 77 953 10 Applicants accepted offer 928 42 882 4 978 58 914 6 Applicants not accepted offer 12 5 7 0 18 13 3 2 Applicants not offered a place 48 13 35 0 55 11 41 3

Notes: *EEA - European Economic Area; ROW - Rest of the World

How to apply

London application process

The London deanery and COPDEND change the application process on a yearly basis. It is always beneficial to look at the guidance notes released by COPDEND on the London deanery web site beforehand at http://www.lpmde.ac.uk/ (accessed 22 November 2015).

Scotland application process

See below.

Key dates

COPDEND has the right to change the recruitment process on a yearly basis. Table 2.2 is a proposed timeline for recruitment with guideline months.

Table 2.2 Proposed recruitment timetable

Applications open 25 August 2015 Applications close 22 September 2015 Interview window 16 - 20 November 2015 Preferencing of schemes opens 8 December 2015 Preferencing of schemes closes 15 December 2015 Initial offers out by 06 January 2016 2nd round offers 06 July 2016 Placements commence March 2016 and September 2016

Table 2.3 gives the selection centre interview venues across the United Kingdom.

Table 2.3 Selection centre interview venues

Centre Venue Dental schools covered London London Recruitment Events Centre King's College London
Queen Mary
University of London Bristol Bristol Marriott Hotel, City Centre Bristol University
Cardiff University
Peninsula College of Dentistry Manchester Reebok Stadium, Bolton University of Central Lancaster
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester Birmingham West Bromwich Albion University of Birmingham
University of Sheffield Belfast Ramada Hotel, Shaw's Bridge, Belfast Queen's University, Belfast Newcastle Newcastle United Football Club Newcastle University
University of Leeds

DF1 schemes - where to work

A component of the DF1 application process involves choosing DF1 scheme area preferences around the United Kingdom. In 2014, applicants were asked to rank their scheme preferences via the UK Offers System, which was done separately from the submission of their online application form for their original DF1 application. Candidates will be emailed with information regarding their interview date (which they must confirm within 48 hours) and full instructions on how to complete scheme preferences, including use of the UK offers system. This involves logging into the system approximately 3 weeks after the interview and submitting their scheme area preference. The submission for schemes is open for 7 days - after this period submissions cannot be made.

The London Deanery usually produces an information sheet about the available schemes for that year. It is of utmost importance that candidates take time to consider all the schemes and their locations. Due to the competitive nature of the application process it is imperative that the candidates give themselves the best possible opportunity to obtain a DF1 job offer. These opportunities can decrease if candidates limit the number of schemes they are willing to work in. If they do not rank one of the schemes they will automatically forfeit their place, even if a position is available. However, it should also be noted that there is no point in candidates ranking a scheme if they are absolutely certain that they are not willing to work in that region. The rationale for this is that if they do rank such a region and are offered a place within it, they will not be offered an alternative, or be given an opportunity to swap, if they decline the offer. We therefore advise candidates to try to be as flexible as possible when ranking schemes to give themselves the best opportunity to secure a DF1 job.

It is also important to note that, at this stage of the application process, candidates will only be given information regarding their scheme locations and not the locations of the actual training practices as they are not approved until spring / summer and can change on an annual basis. Some schemes cover a large geographical area and the distance between practices within a scheme can take over an hour to commute. The deanery will only provide detailed information about practices once they have all been approved; however, it might be possible to see the previous year's information regarding individual practices on its web site.

Once candidates have accepted their scheme in the beginning of January, they will have an option to 'upgrade' or 'accept' the offer. If they choose to accept, their deanery will be notified of their acceptance and their place for the DF1 year will be confirmed. If they choose to 'upgrade', then on the last day of January their scheme will either be upgraded to a higher choice or the candidate will stay in the same scheme.

Here are some useful points to consider when choosing where to work:

1. Travelling to work
   • How far are you willing to travel to work?
   • Do you drive? Will it be feasible to drive to work - Congestion charge? Parking?
   • If you don't drive will you need to...