DCT practice

How to prepare for the DCT interview

Read the NHS England Dental Core Training applicant guide and COPDEND curriculum first so you know what the two 10-minute online selection stations test. Then rehearse acute clinical and medical-emergency scenarios alongside clinical governance, Duty of Candour and communication scenarios out loud with a 3-minute reading window.

What happens in the DCT interview: parts, timings and marking An example DCT station, with example feedback DCT recruitment dates

Step by step

  1. 1

    Learn the two-station online interview structure

    The national DCT selection interview comprises two 10-minute panel stations, each preceded by 3 minutes of reading time: Station 1 covers a clinical scenario and medical emergencies, and Station 2 covers clinical governance, management and communication.

  2. 2

    Use the 3-minute reading time to structure your opening response

    During the 3-minute reading window before each station, note the clinical red flags or governance issues in the stem, plan an ordered framework (such as ABCDE and surgical sieve for Station 1, or SPIKES, Duty of Candour and clinical governance escalation for Station 2) and anticipate follow-up probes.

  3. 3

    Drill OMFS and hospital dental emergencies for Station 1

    Practise speaking through spreading odontogenic infections and Ludwig's angina airway threats, retrobulbar haemorrhage, post-extraction haemorrhage on anticoagulants or antiplatelets, avulsed permanent teeth, and dental surgery medical emergencies using Resuscitation Council UK and SDCEP guidance.

  4. 4

    Ground Station 2 answers in GDC Standards and NHS patient safety

    Rehearse scenarios on wrong-tooth extraction and NatSSIPs2 Local Safety Standards for Invasive Procedures, statutory and GDC Duty of Candour, IR(ME)R 2017 radiation incidents, HTM 01-05 decontamination breaches, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and supporting an impaired or struggling colleague.

  5. 5

    Practise concise, structured spoken answers with two assessors

    Ten minutes passes quickly across multiple panel prompts. Lead with your immediate patient-safety actions, explain your reasoning clearly, and state when you would escalate to the OMFS or dental registrar or consultant on call.

Official resources

Practise with MedMock

MedMock practises both 10-minute stations of the Dental Core Training (DCT1–DCT3) National Selection interview with the real 3-minute reading window before each station: Station 1 (Clinical Scenario & Medical Emergencies) and Station 2 (Clinical Governance, Management & Communication), either individually or back to back in a Full Mock.

Practise your DCT interview Start with a one-off £5 taster: 30 credits, no subscription.

Questions candidates ask

What stations are in the Dental Core Training (DCT) interview?

The online interview consists of two 10-minute stations, each preceded by 3 minutes of reading time: Station 1 (Clinical Scenario & Medical Emergencies) and Station 2 (Clinical Governance, Management & Communication).

Does this cover DCT1, DCT2 and DCT3 national selection?

Yes. The scenarios and marking rubrics cover the clinical, OMFS/hospital dentistry, medical emergency and clinical governance themes tested across DCT1, DCT2 and DCT3 national selection.

How is each station timed on MedMock?

Each station gives you up to 3 minutes to read the candidate brief before the 10-minute panel interview clock starts, matching the national online interview format.

Sources

Checked on 24 October 2026.

Exams and their regulations change. MedMock is not affiliated with any examining body; always check the current guidance on the official site before you apply.