Important:

To work in NHS primary care, dentists must hold an NHS Performer Number, usually obtained through Dental Foundation Training (DFT) or PLVE. Once a Performer Number is obtained, dentists may work in NHS, mixed, or private practice. Without a Performer Number, practice is limited to private roles only.

The Two Main Return Pathways

Key features

• Fixed-term training year

• Educational supervision

• Formal study days

• Competitive application process

• Limited places

1. Dental Foundation Training (DFT)

Dental Foundation Training is a structured, supervised year designed to support newly qualified dentists transitioning into UK practice and who may want to work in NHS primary care.

Things to consider

• Applications are time-sensitive

• Not all overseas-trained graduates secure places

• May delay entry into full earnings

DFT can be an excellent option for those who prefer structure and formal support, but it is not compulsory for all returning graduates.

Key features

• Faster entry into work

• Private, or mixed practices (including NHS although subject to having an NHS Performer Number first)

• Learning occurs on the job

• Requires strong practice support

2. Direct Associate Route

Many graduates returning from Bulgaria enter UK dentistry as associate dentists without completing DFT, as they are not currently interested in working in NHS primary care.

Things to consider

• Quality of supervision varies by practice

• Contract terms matter significantly

• Early choices can shape long-term confidence

This route is common and legitimate, but success depends heavily on choosing the right practice.

NHS vs Private

Early in Your Career

• Structured patient flow

• UDA-based targets

• Good exposure to volume dentistry

• Requires understanding of NHS systems

NHS roles

Private roles

• Slower pace initially

• Greater emphasis on communication

• Income varies more

• Often better mentoring in smaller practices

NHS Performer Number & Eligibility

To practise dentistry anywhere in the UK — private or NHS — you must be fully registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). However, GDC registration alone does not allow you to treat NHS patients in primary care. To work on the NHS, you must also be included on an official NHS Dental Performers List and have a Performer Number.

Most newly qualified dentists obtain a Performer Number by completing Dental Foundation Training (DFT), which includes supervised clinical experience and entry onto the Performers List. Another route for experienced dentists is Performer List Validation by Experience (PLVE), which assesses clinical competence based on previous practice and often used by overseas-trained dentists.

If you are not on a Performers List, you can still work as a dentist in private practice, but you cannot provide NHS primary care services.

Choosing the Right Pathway

There is no universal answer. The right pathway depends on:

• When you graduate

• How prepared you feel clinically

• The level of supervision offered

• Your long-term goals

Early planning gives you choice, not pressure.

Note: All employment routes are subject to individual circumstances and regulatory approval.