NHS Devon dental workforce.

NHS Devon currently funds four key workforce initiatives for dentists working in, or considering working in, Devon:

Whether you are newly qualified, looking to progress your career, or considering a move into specialist training, Devon offers financial support, career development and the opportunity to work in a supportive, well-connected system – all while enjoying an exceptional quality of life.

‘Golden Hello’ recruitment incentive

The ‘Golden Hello’ Recruitment Incentive helps NHS dental practices in Devon attract and retain dentists delivering NHS services, while offering dentists a significant financial incentive to build their NHS career in Devon.

What is on offer?

  • A £20,000 recruitment incentive per dentist
  • Paid in phased instalments over three years
  • Available to dentists taking up eligible NHS roles in Devon

For dental practices

  • Helps practices attract applicants into hard‑to‑recruit NHS posts
  • Makes roles in Devon more competitive
  • Encourages dentists to make a longer‑term commitment to NHS dentistry
  • Supports workforce stability and continuity of care for patients

For dentists

  • Offers financial support when starting a new role or relocating
  • Encourages a sustained career in NHS dentistry
  • Supports dentists who want to live and work in Devon while delivering NHS services

For dentists considering their next career move, the Golden Hello provides a significant financial incentive alongside the opportunity to build a fulfilling NHS career in Devon.

Postgraduate dental bursary funding

NHS Devon supports dentists who want to develop advanced clinical skills and progress their careers within the NHS through postgraduate bursary funding.

What does the bursary support?

The bursary contributes towards the cost of approved postgraduate dental courses at regional universities, including:

  • Restorative Dentistry
  • Oral Surgery
  • Periodontology
  • Endodontics
  • Conscious Sedation and Anxiety Management

Funding is paid directly to the university and is intended to reduce the financial burden of postgraduate study while dentists continue working in the NHS.

Helping you progress and thrive in your career

This scheme gives you the opportunity to:

  • Progress your career by developing advanced clinical skills without stepping away from NHS practice
  • Broaden your scope of practice and increase confidence in managing more complex cases
  • Improve day‑to‑day job satisfaction by working at a higher clinical level
  • Invest in your future with recognised postgraduate training that supports long‑term career options
  • Benefit from a well‑established scheme, supporting dentists to stay and thrive in NHS careers across the South West

For dentists who want to upskill, broaden their scope of practice and build a long-term NHS career, Devon offers clear and tangible support.

Specialist dental trainee funding

NHS Devon also provides funding to support specialist dental trainees undertaking training in the South West.

What is available?

  • Additional annual funding to support training-related expenses
  • Around £700 per trainee per year
  • Funding can be used for:
    • Courses and conferences
    • National meetings
    • Training-related educational costs

Supporting your specialist training journey

Specialist dental training often comes with additional personal costs and professional demands. This funding is designed to support you during training and help you make the most of your specialist career pathway.

This funding enables you to:

  • Enhance your training experience by easing financial pressures associated with specialist education
  • Access educational opportunities, including courses, conferences and national meetings
  • Focus on developing specialist expertise, rather than personal training costs
  • Feel supported and valued while undertaking specialist training
  • Build strong professional roots in Devon and the wider South West during training and beyond

By investing in specialist trainees, NHS Devon is helping you to develop, progress and commit to a specialist career while training in a supportive and well‑connected system.

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

NHS Devon recognises that working in dentistry can be demanding and pressurised. We fund a comprehensive wellbeing offer to support the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of NHS staff and this includes dental professionals working in Devon. This free and confidential programme is available to NHS Devon dental contractors, as well as other NHS staff across Devon.

What support is available?

The EAP gives you access to a wide range of support, including:

  • 24/7 confidential helpline
  • Professional counselling and mental health support
  • Financial advice and guidance
  • Health and wellbeing assessments
  • Retail discounts and lifestyle savings

This wellbeing offer is designed to:

  • Support you through the pressures of clinical practice
  • Help you maintain a healthy work–life balance
  • Ensure you feel supported, valued and able to thrive in your role
  • Complement your career development with practical wellbeing support

NHS Devon is committed to supporting you as a professional and as a person. Support is available whenever you need it, whether you’re dealing with work‑related pressures or challenges outside of work.

Why choose Devon?

Working in Devon offers more than just financial support:

  • A collaborative dental community with strong clinical networks
  • Opportunities to work across primary, community and specialist services
  • A commitment from NHS Devon to workforce development and wellbeing
  • An outstanding quality of life – from coast and countryside to vibrant towns and cities

Devon is investing in its dental workforce – and we’d love you to be part of it.

Looking for dental job vacancies in Devon?

Current dental vacancies across Devon are advertised by the Devon Local Dental Committee (LDC).

View current dental job vacancies on the Devon LDC website here: Jobs | Devon LDC