East of England

Bedfordshire

Training Programme Director: Peter Cranfield MBE
Telephone: 01462 434323     peter.cranfield@nhs.net

Administrator: Chandima Johnson
Telephone: 01234 792051     chandima.johnson@bedsft.nhs.uk

Established in 1993, the Bedfordshire Scheme has built a reputation for educational excellence, professional support and a strong sense of community. We believe that Foundation Training is about much more than developing clinical skills. It is about helping newly qualified dentists make the transition from student to confident, reflective and independent professional.
At the heart of the Scheme is a vibrant learning community. Study days provide opportunities not only to learn from experienced educators and guest speakers, but also to learn from one another. The friendships, professional networks and mutual support developed during the training year are often among its most enduring benefits. Our trainees play a central role in shaping the character of the Scheme, and each year brings new ideas, experiences and perspectives.
The Scheme is supported by an experienced and enthusiastic faculty of Educational Supervisors who are committed to helping trainees succeed. Many have been involved in Foundation Training for a number of years and most hold postgraduate qualifications in education. They work together as a supportive educational team, sharing a common commitment to high-quality training and professional development.
Training practices are located across Bedfordshire and neighbouring areas, providing experience of a wide range of patients, communities and clinical situations. Trainees encounter both urban and rural populations and gain experience of caring for patients from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds. This breadth of experience helps develop the confidence and adaptability needed for a successful career in primary dental care.
Study days are usually held on Fridays and combine clinical, professional and personal development. The programme is designed not only to support progression through Foundation Training but also to encourage curiosity, reflection, leadership and lifelong learning. We aim to create an environment in which trainees feel supported, challenged and inspired to achieve their potential.
Bedfordshire offers an excellent place to live and work, combining attractive countryside, historic market towns and vibrant urban centres. With excellent road, rail and air links, London and much of the United Kingdom are within easy reach.
The Bedfordshire Scheme is led by Peter Cranfield MBE, who has served as Training Programme Director since the Scheme was established. Working alongside the Educational Supervisors and trainees, he continues to champion an approach to Foundation Training that values professional growth, mutual support and the power of learning together.
Above all, we want our trainees to look back on their Foundation Training year as one of the most important and enjoyable periods of their professional development: a year in which they grew in confidence, developed lasting friendships and began the journey towards becoming the dentist they aspire to be..

Cambridgeshire

Training Programme Director : Eva King
Telephone: TBC     eva.king1@nhs.net

Administrator: Jonathan Northrop
Telephone: 01223 348884 Ext: 348884     jonathan.northrop1@nhs.net

The Cambridgshire Scheme offers a fantastic foundation training experience across a network of practices located primarily in Cambridgeshire, with a small number in neighbouring counties. All our Education Supervisors are highly experienced dentists working in well-established practices and in community settings, and are deeply committed to supporting the next generation of clinicians. They dedicate significant time and energy to mentoring and developing Foundation Dentists, finding great satisfaction in helping you to grow in confidence and capability.

The practices within our scheme provide a diverse and stimulating clinical environment, offering valuable opportunities to develop experience across all core areas of dentistry. Learning extends far beyond patient care alone; Foundation Dentists are encouraged to learn from the wider dental team, fellow trainees, experienced colleagues, and expert speakers, creating a collaborative and supportive educational community.

Our study days and learning hub are based primarily at the renowned Addenbrooke’s campus in Cambridge. Many of our Education Supervisors, alongside local specialists, contribute to the teaching programme, providing high-quality, clinically relevant education while helping trainees build valuable professional networks. These connections, combined with the breadth of expertise available within the scheme, support both personal and professional development throughout the year. Cambridge itself is a vibrant and historic city, offering an outstanding quality of life, excellent cultural and recreational opportunities, and convenient road and rail links to London. It is a fantastic place to live, learn, and begin your professional career. As Training Programme Director, my role is to help you make the most of this unique year of development. Whether your ambitions lie in general practice, further training, specialist pathways, or leadership, I am committed to supporting you in building strong foundations for a successful and fulfilling future. Together, we will ensure that you gain not only the clinical skills required for practice, but also the confidence, insight, and professional networks that will benefit you throughout your career

Essex

Training Programme Director: Ali Chohan

Administrator: Chandima Johnson
Telephone: 01234 792051     chandima.johnson@bedsft.nhs.uk

The Essex Scheme offers a diverse range of high-quality Training Practices, supported by experienced and approachable Educational Supervisors who are committed to developing the next generation of dentists.

Study Days are on Tuesdays, primarily delivered across two well-equipped centres: Ipswich Hospital and Braintree Community Hospital. Both venues provide excellent teaching facilities, including modern education suites and Ipswich Hospital has access to simulation training with hands-on phantom head equipment, enabling Foundation Dentists to build clinical confidence in a supportive environment.

Our Educational Supervisors bring a wealth of experience, many having been involved in Dental Foundation Training for several years and are dedicated to supporting you throughout your first year in practice.

The Training Programme Director is Ali Chohan, who leads the scheme with experience in both clinical practice and education, ensuring a well-structured and supportive learning journey.

Our aim is to provide a varied, engaging, and stimulating first year in general practice. While the year will be challenging, it will also be highly rewarding as you take your first steps into your professional career. Above all, we want this to be a memorable and positive experience that lays strong foundations for your future in dentistry.

Hertfordshire

Training Programme Director: Peter Russell
Telephone: 01604 630984     peter.russell11@nhs.net

Administrator: Minnie Chui
Telephone: 01438 284710 | Ext: 4710     hoyan.chui@nhs.net

The scheme developed from the Old Stevenage scheme of the last few years and is based at the education centre at Lister Hospital in Stevenage. We often travel to Bedford Postgraduate Centre at Bedford Hospital for joint days with the Bedfordshire Scheme. We can, occasionally, need to travel to other sites for specialist days.

The Hertfordshire Scheme is ideally suited for both those wishing to live in London and those looking for more affordable accommodation but still wanting easy access to the capital's attractions. Less than 30 minutes by train from London (King's Cross), and 5 minutes off the A1, there are excellent transport links and easy commuting to the hospital for study days. Please bear in mind that some of the practices in our scheme are still some distance away.

This year is your year. It is about you changing yourself from being an individual, competitive student into a team playing professional: it is about your immersion in the world of general dental practice and learning ‘how to work’ through extensive wide-ranging clinical experience and often difficult and challenging situations within the NHS. It is about building a bed rock for you to fly into your new practice future and build your golden, glorious careers.

As such, our scheme ethos is centred on learning through participation in practice and with the other schemes in our area. Our aim is to help you develop into proficient, caring clinicians who provide high quality outcomes for your patients. There is, of course, a structure and framework to the year but you are expected to be proactive and self-directed in your learning. You will be expected to contribute, debate, challenge and justify your reasoning. You will present to a wide variety of audiences during the year. The study days are your days and the more you participate, the more you will gain

As your Training Programme Director, I will endeavour to help you, advise you and cajole you, to attain the success you seek and need, to move forward in your next career stages. I have been an SHO in Oral surgery, a GDP for longer than I’d like to say and involved in dental training of nurses and Dentists for some years.

This year is unique and special in your career. Grab it with both hands and make it work for you!

Norfolk

Training Programme Director: Suzanne Plummer
Telephone: 01493 728351     suzanne.plummer3@nhs.net

Administrator: Janine Knowles
Telephone: 01603 286884    janine.knowles@nnuh.nhs.uk

The Norfolk Foundation training scheme offers an ideal nurturing environment, allowing you to consolidate the clinical skills and knowledge you acquired as an undergraduate. You will also be challenged by new concepts and asked to reflect and map your own professional journey. We aim to help you achieve the best outcomes for both you and your patients while embedding a lifelong enthusiasm for continued learning.

We have an exciting, structured study day program planned. This includes 9 hands-on sessions in the Technical Skills Room, Norfolk and Norwich University NHS Foundation Trust Hospital (NNUH). Study days are also held in the Bob Champion Research Building (BCRB). This is part of the University of East Anglia and is located within the hospital grounds. Our speakers are all practising clinicians passionate about dentistry. Study days offer protected spaces with your peers to discuss and reflect on challenges you have encountered. The scheme actively encourages lively and open discussions and debate. Sharing is key to your development. Study days are typically held on a Friday (9 am – 4.30 pm). You will find that both the BCRB and NNUH can be reached easily by public transport or by road..

Most of our Educational Supervisors themselves were Foundation Dentists in Norfolk, and have completed a post-graduate certificate in dental education (PGCert). They are selected because of their experience and commitment to Foundation Training. Your Educational Supervisor will be very influential early in your practising career, offering bespoke advice and support, helping you transition from student to dental professional and team leader. This year is your year. You will be integrated into the heart of training practices. The more you contribute, the more you will get out. Set yourself goals and use the support to achieve them..

Norwich is a vibrant city, in touch with today’s world, but at the same time steeped in history and overflowing with culture. The "historic character" and "urban buzz" of Norwich has earned the city the title of best place to live in the UK (The Sunday Times, March 2026).

You can easily spend the day shopping, wandering along Tudor cobbled lanes, or taking in some of the wonderful historical buildings that Norwich has to offer. The North Norfolk Coast has some spectacular beaches and many superb restaurants. For those who like water sports, the Norfolk Broads offer excellent facilities from the more peaceful pursuits of sailing to the more adventurous powerboat racing..

Norwich has an excellent train service to the heart of London (Liverpool Street Station). It also has a thriving regional airport that links to the international hub at Amsterdam, making international travel easy.

Suffolk

Training Programme Director: Jemimah Rowden
Email: jemimah.rowden1@nhs.net

PGME Manager: Kevin Hartwell
Email: Kevin.Hartwell@esneft.nhs.uk

Administrator / Skills Technician: Lucy Rutherford
Telephone: 01473 702561 Ext: 6026     Lucy.Rutherford@esneft.nhs.uk

The Suffolk Scheme has a range of Training Practices, supported by experienced and friendly Educational Supervisors. Our Study Days are held at the Ipswich Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education Centre, which is situated within the Ipswich Hospital. Here there are high quality teaching rooms and an on-site newly refurbished Dental Skills Room equipped with the latest phantom heads.

Our Speakers for the Study Days are highly qualified and are often Educational Supervisors with a wealth of clinical and practical experience.

Feedback and reflection are encouraged from both Foundation Dentists and Educational Supervisors to ensure continuous development of the programme. Most of the Educational Supervisors have been involved with Dental Foundation Training for many years and will do their best to ensure that you have an excellent start in your dental career.

The Training Programme Director, Jemimah Rowden has many years of experience in practice and has been an Educational Supervisor.

We aim to provide a varied and stimulating first year in practice. You will work hard achieving worthwhile rewards as you make your first steps into your professional career. Most importantly, we want you to have a year to remember for all the right reasons.

Cambridge 24 Month

Training Programme Director: Eva King
Telephone: TBC     eva.king1@nhs.net

Administrator: Jonathan Northrop
Telephone: 01223 348884 Ext: 348884     jonathan.northrop1@nhs.net

The Cambridge Two Year Scheme is a unique and highly rewarding two-year longitudinal scheme that integrates Foundation Dentistry (DFT) with Dental Core Training Year 1 (DCT1). Designed to provide a comprehensive and structured transition into professional practice, this innovative programme offers the advantage of a single application process, leading to the successful completion of both DFT and DCT1. Upon completion, trainees are awarded both a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Foundation Training and a Certificate of Completion of DCT1. You will remain in the same practice for the two years for the foundation portion of this scheme, and every 8 months rotate at three different but unique placements in the local area.

One of the programme’s greatest strengths is its integrated approach to learning. By alternating between general practice and core training placements weekly, trainees have the opportunity to apply newly acquired knowledge and skills directly within a clinical setting. This bridge between primary and secondary care creates a rich learning environment, allowing experience, reflection, and professional development to build progressively over the two years. The result is a training experience that is both intellectually stimulating and professionally fulfilling.

You will undertake three distinct DCT rotations, each lasting eight months. These carefully selected placements provide exposure to a broad range of specialties and clinical environments, enabling trainees to develop a diverse skill set, gain valuable insight into different career pathways, and build confidence in managing increasingly complex clinical situations.

Foundation Dental practices are located within our well-established training regions across Cambridgeshire. Trainees benefit from the support of highly experienced Education Supervisors who are dedicated to developing confident, capable, and successful clinicians. Their expertise, mentorship, and commitment to education ensure that trainees receive exceptional guidance throughout their general practice experience.

Our DCT placements have been specifically chosen to provide high-quality educational opportunities within supportive and nurturing environments. Trainees will join a wider community of Dental Core Trainees across the region, participating in regional study days, local teaching programmes, and multidisciplinary learning opportunities. In addition, trainees follow the Foundation Training study programme, creating a comprehensive educational experience that combines the strengths of both pathways.

Much of the formal teaching takes place at the renowned Addenbrooke’s Campus in Cambridge, an internationally recognised centre of excellence for healthcare, education, and research. Beyond the training programme itself, Cambridge offers an outstanding place to live and work, combining world-class academic and clinical institutions with a vibrant cultural, social, and recreational environment. As Training Programme Director, my role is to support and guide you throughout this exceptional two-year journey, helping you maximise every opportunity for learning and professional growth. These early years play a pivotal role in shaping your future career, and our aim is to provide the skills, experience, confidence, and support that will serve as the foundation for long-term success, whatever path you choose to pursue within dentistry.

2025-27 Scheme