Covering the counties of Gloucestershire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Wiltshire and Dorset, the South West region has excellent road and rail links throughout. Major centres include Gloucester, Swindon, Bristol, Taunton, Exeter, Barnstaple, Torbay, Plymouth, and Truro. The South West is renowned for its tourist industry, National Parks, coastline and the wide range of leisure facilities available.
From September 2025 there are 6 DFT schemes covering the South West, each based in a different geographic area. Each scheme represents on average 12 training practices. Details of these training practices can be found by clicking on the individual scheme links further down this page.
Some of our schemes also have Joint Dental Foundation Core Training (JDFCT), Longitudinal or academic posts included in them.
Here in the South West, each of our 6 schemes run a variety of study days. Some of the generic study days which you could expect to attend during your Dental Foundation Year include:
- Clinical Skills refresher day
- Careers day
- 2 day Endo hands on days
- 2 day South West FD Conference
- Communication skills
- Oral Medicine Day
- Community Engagement Project
All of our schemes hold their study days using a balance of virtual and face to face training.
Useful Information
The Dental Foundation Training Handbook contains useful information on the DFT year. DFT Handbook 2024
Information on the FD Salary can be found at - https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/dental-team/roles-dental-team/dentist/pay-dentists
NHS Business Services information for Foundation Dentists
Accommodation
Many graduates who move away from their university or home town are concerned about accommodation. Some of our approved practices, especially those in Devon and Cornwall, will be able to advise and help you with finding somewhere to live.