All September 2026 trainees allocated to the East and West Midlands Region will be emailed a copy of their allocated Scheme Practice Descriptor Booklet, a welcome letter from the Associate Dean and a link to a digital preferencing form.
We anticipate recieving names/emails from the National Recruitment Office on or soon after 9th June 2026.
If you have not received an email by Friday 12th June - please check your junk/spam folder before contacting the Midlands DFT admin team on england.dft.midlands@nhs.net
Below are hyperlinked buttons to map of the Midlands region with dropped pins marking the postcode locations of the September 2026 cohort of host practices. When you open the map a listed index can be seen by clicking on the arrowed rectangle icon in the top left corner.
Dental Foundation Training - East and West Midlands Single Year Schemes
Longitudinal Dental Joint Training - 24-month programme - please note that there are 2 training places available at each of the Host Practices listed
Dental Therapy Foundation Training - Midland Regional Scheme - please note that there are 2 training places available at each of the Host Practices listed
See Midlands Dental Foundation Training in action
These short videos give a visual insight into Dental Foundation Training in the Midlands. Together, they offer a snapshot of what you can expect as a Dental Foundation Trainee in the Midlands.
- West Midlands Regional Induction. This video shows what induction looks like, including how trainees are welcomed, introduced to the programme, and supported at the start of the year.
- Regional study day. This video highlights the learning environment, teaching style, and opportunities to meet and learn alongside other trainees.
For more information about our Dental Foundation Schemes please follow the links below
For read comments and testimonials from current Midlands Dental Foundation Trainees please follow this link
Gurjit Moore - Training Programme Director
Gurjit is the TPD for the Birmingham and the Black Country Scheme. He is a Practice Principal, Mentor and Local Dental Committee Chair. He qualified from The University of Sheffield (2003) and completed VT on the West Midlands City Scheme. He has completed the MFGDP Diploma and an MSc in Orthodontics. He enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has a passion for learning and facilitating learning in others. In his spare time Gurjit enjoys spending time with his family, travelling and following the trials and tribulations of his football team!
Kully Shoker - Training Programme Director
Dr Kully Shoker qualified in 1998 from the University of London (King’s College). He has been involved in dental education since 2002, first as an Educational Supervisor for 8 years, then as a Training Programme Director since 2010. He currently enjoys running the Birmingham & Solihull Scheme and the Dental Joint Training Longitudinal Scheme in the Midlands. Outside of his work with NHS England, he is kept busy running his 5-surgery practice in Coventry and spending time with his wife and son.
David Gavens - Training Programme Director
David is the Training Programme Director for the Derbyshire Dental Foundation Training Scheme. He qualified from the University of Sheffield in 2004 and completed his Dental Foundation Training within the Chesterfield Scheme. Since 2017, he has been actively involved in dental education for both dentists and dental therapists, developing a strong commitment to learning, mentorship, and trainee support. He works as a General Dental Practitioner and is a partner in two large dental practices, and also serves as Chair of Sheffield Local Dental Committee. Outside of dentistry, David is a keen runner and scuba diver, and enjoys travelling.
Idnan Mehmood - Training Programme Director
Idnan is the TPD for the Coventry and Warwickshire Scheme. He qualified from the University of Wales in 2004. He is a practice principal and enjoys working with the extended dental team. Outside this to relax he enjoys swimming, spending time with his family and the emotional roller-coaster of following
Colin Sinha - Training Programme Director
Colin is the TPD for the Herefordshire and Worcesteshire Scheme. He works as a GDP in a busy mixed dental practice and has an interest in Restorative Dentistry. Colin is also the Chair of the Local Dental Network for Worcestershire and Herefordshire. After qualifying in 1999, Colin worked in various hospital posts in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Restorative Dentistry. He has obtained multiple postgraduate diplomas and an MSc in Restorative Dentistry from the University of Leeds. Colin is a Fellow of the College of Dentistry and The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. Outside work Colin likes to spend time with his extended family and enjoys learning to play the piano.
Fiona Patch - Training Programme Director
Fiona works in a busy NHS practice in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and as a dento-legal advisor. She was a FD trainer for 6 years and DCT trainer for 3 years. She has over 6 years’ experience in supporting dentists in difficulty, clinical quality and handling complaints. She finished her MA in Dental Law & Ethics in August 2024. She is has a keen interest in education, alongside coach mentoring and is looking forward to supporting foundation dentists on their journey to become independent practitioners.
Omer Ali - Training Programme Director
Omer is the TPD for the Lincolnshire & Nottinghamshire Scheme - biography to follow
Kully Shoker - Training Programme Director
Dr Kully Shoker qualified in 1998 from the University of London (King’s College). He has been involved in dental education since 2002, first as an Educational Supervisor for 8 years, then as a Training Programme Director since 2010. He currently enjoys running the Birmingham & Solihull Scheme and the Dental Joint Training Longitudinal Scheme in the Midlands. Outside of his work with NHS England, he is kept busy running his 5-surgery practice in Coventry and spending time with his wife and son.
'The Midlands DJT programme will be hosted within West Midlands primary and secondary host sites. The practices will all be linked to a secondary care unit where you will rotate alternate weeks. As a DJT you will be paired with another colleague who shares the post with you.
The secondary care rotation in the first year is:
- Birmingham Dental Hospital (Oral surgery /emergency dressing clinics)
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital (MaxFax): 2 pairs hosted here
- Royal Worcester Hospital (MaxFax)
- University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire (Restorative/Oral Surgery)
Some units may have on-call commitments but these are usually not weekends or night shift. Experience with on-call helps develop a unique skillset that will enhance your ability to deal with emergency situations.
Some rotations will involve visiting more than the one hospital site. This will be to enable experience in other areas e.g. General anaesthetic cases, minor oral surgery etc,
Year Two rotations are based in Community Dentistry /Special Care Dentistry clinics.
These are usually located within reasonable distance from the year one sites. However, due to the nature of work distribution and how clinics are arranged, DJTs may be working at several sites on the weeks they are in rotation within Community / Special Care. Experience is aimed at increasing confidence and competence in paediatric management, inhalation sedation, domicillary care, and where possible IV sedation cases. Some clinics may also have GA lists that the DJTs can participate in.
Harmandeep Sanghera - Training Programme Director
Harmandeep is the TPD for the Nottinghamshire & Leicestershire Scheme, he qualified from the University of Birmingham in 1997 and works clinically in General Practice. He enjoys all aspects of clinical dentistry especially restorative dentistry. He has postgraduate qualifications from the Faculty of Royal College Surgeons and in Clinical Education. Outside of dentistry he enjoys playing cricket or spending time on the slopes skiing.
TBC - Training Programme Director
We are in the process of recruiting a new TPD for the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Scheme. This in coming trainee cohort for Sept 2026 will be overseen by Rob Richardson .
Rob is Training Program Director (TPD) to Birmingham and the Black Country (BBC) Scheme. He works in a busy NHS dental practice in North Birmingham. He worked as an Educational Supervisor for 14 years before being appointed as a TPD. Over the last 12 years Rob has served as TPD to the Worcester Scheme and more recently as TPD to BBC Scheme. Rob's daughters were competitive swimmers and Rob is a qualified swimming Referee. Even though his daughters no longer compete Rob regularly volunteers as a swimming Referee at Boldmere Swimming Club, Warwickshire County Championships, and the West Midlands Regional Championships. When not at work or in the swimming pool Rob enjoys long walks with wife Sally and trips to the pub with family and friends.
Local Dental Network
Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin is part of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Local Dental Network. To learn more about what a Local Dental Network is visit this NHS page.
Led by Tony Ahmed, Shropshire and Staffordshire LDN are keen to get recently graduated dentists involved and have unique opportunities available for FDs to learn more about how dentistry is run in local areas. If you would like to know more about what its like to live and work in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin click on the image below to watch a video produced by the LDN showcasing the area and what it has to offer.
Shaam Shamsi - Training Programme Director
Shaam Shamsi has been involved a s TPD since 2008 with NHS England Midlands running the Stoke & Stafford Scheme. Although a General Dental Practitioner for almost 30 years, his main passion lies in the teaching and educational side of Dentistry having a background in the Medico-Legal side of the profession.
He lectures for many dental institutions across the country. His other roles include examining for the Faculties and working for the CQC as one of their specialist advisors.
Shaam was awarded a double Fellowship by the College of General Dentistry and the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 2022. Outside the profession, he is blessed with a wife and 3 children, and enjoys travelling fitness and improving his culinary skills!
Local Dental Network
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent is part of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Local Dental Network. To learn more about what a Local Dental Network is visit this NHS page.
Led by Tony Ahmed, Shropshire and Staffordshire LDN are keen to get recently graduated dentists involved and have unique opportunities available for FDs to learn more about how dentistry is run in local areas. If you would like to know more about what its like to live and work in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent click on the image below to watch a video produced by the LDN showcasing the area and what it has to offer
Jodie Mahoney - Training Programme Organiser
Jodie is the Training Programme Lead for Dental Therapy Foundation Training. She graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2009 and works as a dental hygienist and therapist in practice. Jodie also sits on the GDC FtP panel and holds a postgraduate certificate in Medical Education. She has a passion for mentoring and guiding newly qualified dental therapists into the world or work. Outside of dentistry Jodie enjoys spending time with her family in the peak district.