Written by Medibuddy. Last updated: October 2026.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) sits across medicine and dentistry: you need a primary medical degree, plus either full General Dental Council (GDC) registration or a fully UK-registerable dental qualification, before you can start ST1. That makes for a small, distinctive applicant pool, and a selection process to match. NHS England (South West) runs recruitment nationally through Oriel. This guide covers the 2027 application, including eligibility, how national recruitment works, the self-assessment domains, portfolio evidence and verification, scoring, and the 2027 timeline. This guide covers the 2027 application: who is eligible, where the marks actually sit (your logbook alone is worth up to 15 points), and the dates to plan around.

We’ll walk you through what matters for a strong application: eligibility, how national recruitment works, the self-assessment domains, portfolio evidence and verification, scoring, and the 2027 timeline.

When you’re ready to prepare for the interview itself, the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank has scenario questions with model answers, put together by high-scoring trainees.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Competition ratio (2025): 3.5:1 (77 applications, 22 posts)
• Entry requirement: Primary medical degree; full GMC registration; full GDC registration or a UK‑registerable dental qualification by the post start date; Foundation competences
• Recruitment platform: Oriel; national selection coordinated by NHS England (South West).
• Applications: 22 October 2026 at 10am to 19 November 2026 at 4pm
• Interviews: February 2027 (dates to be confirmed)
• Interview prep: See the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank

Table of Contents

• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Curriculum
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Eligibility Criteria and Entry Requirements
• How to Apply for Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 National Recruitment
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Recruitment Timeline and Key Dates (2027)
• How Competitive Is Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1?
• How Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Applications Are Scored (2027)
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Self-Assessment and Portfolio: How to Maximise Your Score
• The Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview: A Brief Overview
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Offers, Preferencing and What Happens Next
• Frequently Asked Questions About Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Application
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Useful Resources
• Conclusion

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Curriculum

From day one at ST1 you’re working to the GMC‑approved Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery curriculum delivered through the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP). It’s an outcome‑based, capability‑driven framework: you’ll evidence Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) and the Generic Professional Capabilities (GPCs) through your ISCP portfolio, with supervision levels agreed via workplace‑based assessments, operative logbook entries and an annual ARCP.

Oversight and delivery

Oversight sits with the Joint Committee on Surgical Training’s OMFS Specialty Advisory Committee, and day‑to‑day delivery runs through the ISCP e‑portfolio with trainer reports, learning agreements and Multi‑Consultant Reports shaping your progression. Quality improvement, teaching, leadership and research activity are part of the curriculum and should appear in your portfolio alongside your operative experience.

Regional programmes deliver this in different ways. The rotation pattern, on‑call model, and case‑mix exposure vary by school, with some centres offering more facial trauma and dentoalveolar lists and others more head and neck oncology or orthognathic operating. Review local programme adverts to understand the placements, protected teaching, and study‑leave support on offer.

Note: The ISCP OMFS curriculum pages (updated in 2021) are the live standard. If ISCP publishes material changes affecting 2027 starters, we’ll update this page.

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Eligibility Criteria and Entry Requirements

If you’re applying for Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 in 2027, here’s what you need to be eligible:

• Medical and dental qualifications: You must hold a primary medical degree (MBBS/BMBS or equivalent). On the dental side, the 2027 person specification asks for either full General Dental Council (GDC) registration or a fully UK-registerable dental qualification by the advertised post start date.
• GMC registration: You need full General Medical Council registration at the time of application, and a current licence to practise on the date your post commences.
• Foundation competence and prior experience: You must evidence achievement of Foundation Programme competences by one of the accepted routes. For most applicants this is completion of the UK Foundation Programme or equivalent 12 months of post-qualification medical practice. If you trained elsewhere, plan early to map your evidence against UK Foundation Programme outcomes.
• Right to work: You must be eligible to work in the UK or able to obtain appropriate sponsorship. NHS England provides Skilled Worker (Health and Care) visa sponsorship for eligible trainees; check the official recruitment pages for current sponsorship routes and timelines.
• Previous training status: You must not hold, or be eligible to hold, a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), and you must not already be eligible for the specialist register in this specialty, including through the GMC Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR).
• Good standing and probity: You must meet Good Medical Practice standards, including satisfactory references, health, conduct and criminal record checks.
• Experience limits: The 2027 person specification sets no upper cap on months of prior experience for OMFS ST1, and no cap on prior Locum Appointment for Training experience.
• Exams: There is no requirement to have MRCS or MFDS for eligibility at ST1. These may score in self-assessment but are not entry requirements.

Note: The 2027 NHS England person specification for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ST1 is the definitive standard for this round; we’ll update this page if NHS England issues any revisions during the cycle.

How to Apply for Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 National Recruitment

NHS England runs a single annual national round for OMFS ST1 via the Oriel platform. The 2027 timetable is published, and the full set of dates is in the Recruitment Timeline and Key Dates section below. The NHS England OMFS ST1 selection process and self-assessment pages are the definitive source; we’ll update this guide if any 2027 details change.

1. Start with eligibility and the 2027 dates. Read the Eligibility section first, then map your application to the 2027 milestones below so you’re aware of the different deadlines.
2. Register and prepare on Oriel. Create or update your Oriel profile early and set notifications.
3. Complete the application form on Oriel. You’ll complete standard sections and the OMFS ST1 self-assessment inside the form: Once submitted, your self-assessment answers cannot be changed.
   • Personal details and contact information
   • Right to work, equality and diversity monitoring, and fitness to practise
   • GMC and GDC registration details
   • Employment history (include your Foundation Programme posts and any surgical experience, including Core Surgical Training or dental posts if relevant)
   • Evidence of foundation competence (select the route you’ll use to demonstrate this at selection)
   • OMFS ST1 self-assessment (declare achievements such as MFDS, MRCS, courses, logbook, audits, prizes and outputs)
   • Referee details
   • Declarations and submission
4. Submit before the deadline (4pm on 19 November 2026). Late submissions are not accepted. You do not rank programmes at application; OMFS posts are preferenced later in the process.
5. Prepare your evidence folder. The evidence portal opens at 10am on 23 November 2026 and closes at 10am on 21 December 2026. Upload only what is needed to verify each self-assessment claim. For definitive evidence rules and how verification works, see Self-Assessment and Portfolio: Evidence and verification.
6. Evidence verification and scoring. A specialty assessor reviews your folder and verifies your self-scores. See Self-Assessment and Portfolio: Evidence and verification for the rules that apply.
7. Interview scheduling. Invitations are sent in January 2027 (date to be confirmed), with interviews in February 2027. You’ll book a slot via Oriel.
   • Preparing for the interview? Work through the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank.
8. Preference programmes after interview. When preferencing opens, rank all OMFS programmes you’re prepared to accept. There is no specialty-specific cap identified on the number of preferences you can rank within OMFS ST1.
9. Offers, feedback and reapplication. Offers are released after interviews and preferencing. Individualised score breakdowns are provided via Oriel. If you’re unsuccessful, you can reapply in a future round; there is no published cap on attempts.

Note: Selection uses your self‑assessment (then evidence verification) and a national interview; there is no MSRA or separate shortlisting exam.

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Recruitment Timeline and Key Dates (2027)

NHS England publishes the OMFS ST1 Round 1 timetable each autumn. Here are the key dates for the 2027 intake so you can plan your application and evidence uploads.

Stage	Date
Advert published	Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 5pm
Applications open on Oriel	Thursday 22 October 2026 at 10am
Applications close on Oriel	Thursday 19 November 2026 at 4pm
Evidence portal opens	Monday 23 November 2026 at 10am
Evidence portal closes	Monday 21 December 2026 at 10am
Interview invitations issued	January 2027 (date to be confirmed)
Interviews	February 2027 (date to be confirmed)
Initial offers released	Tuesday 6 April 2027 at 5pm
Offer hold deadline	Friday 9 April 2027 at 9am
Offer upgrade deadline	Wednesday 14 April 2027 at 4pm

Note: NHS England has published the Round 1 timetable for the August 2027 intake. The January invitation date and the February interview dates are the two stages still marked to be confirmed; we’ll update this page when they are set.

How Competitive Is Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1?

OMFS has a small, highly committed applicant pool because of the medical and dental entry requirement. NHS England publishes the official applicant, post and competition figures each year; the most recent two rounds are below.

Year	Applications	Posts	Competition ratio
2025	77	22	3.5:1
2024	34	18	1.89:1

The year-on-year jump reflects how sensitive a small specialty is to changes in post numbers and minor increases in applications. With only a few marks separating candidates, a stronger self-assessment and well-verified evidence can meaningfully improve your rank.

Posts are few and spread thinly across regions, so flexibility on location genuinely widens your options. You don’t preference individual posts at application; you rank programmes later in the process, after interviews. If you’re fixed on a single area, look at recent adverts to see how often that region has recruited and consider widening your net.

How Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Applications Are Scored (2027)

If you’re mapping out your strategy for the 2027 application, it helps to understand the scoring framework you’re working to. NHS England sets a three‑stage selection: you complete a self‑assessment inside Oriel, upload evidence to a portal for verification, then attend interview. The verified portfolio score and your interview performance are combined to generate a single ranked score for offers. NHS England does not publish explicit percentage weighting between domains and interview, so treat both as opportunities to gain crucial points.

Scoring framework: stages and weighting

• Self-assessment inside Oriel: You self-score against published domains when you submit your application; you can’t change it after submission.
• Evidence upload and verification: You then upload evidence to the portal. A specialty assessor checks each claim and may reduce scores where evidence doesn’t meet the criteria.
• How the self-assessment feeds scoring: The verified portfolio score feeds into your overall selection score alongside interview performance. There’s no fixed “minimum portfolio score” to be appointable.
• No MSRA: There is no separate shortlisting test for OMFS ST1.

For the definitive evidence and verification rules, see Self-Assessment and Portfolio: Evidence and verification.

Preparing for the interview? Work through the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank for scenario questions with model answers, written by high‑scoring trainees.

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Self-Assessment and Portfolio: How to Maximise Your Score

Preparing your OMFS portfolio while juggling everything else can feel relentless, so treat it like an exam and work backwards from the mark scheme. While minor wording and caps can shift between rounds, NHS England’s 2027 OMFS ST1 self-assessment guidance sets out clear domains and bands. The evidence you upload is then verified and can be reduced if it doesn’t match your claim, so accuracy matters as much as achievement.

How to score in each domain

• Intercollegiate examinations (MRCS/MFDS): Passing both MRCS and MFDS (both parts in each) scores 4 points; one of them scores 2; neither scores 0. If you are sitting MRCS, our guide to MRCS can help you plan.
• OMFS educational activity and links: You score 1 point for each of the following: an OMFS elective after your primary medical degree (include a 200–250 word reflection), OMFS on-call or clinical work, BAOMS membership, and a completed BAOMS bursary project; completing more than one bursary adds a further point.
• Surgical courses (non-OMFS): You score 1 point per course up to 5 for relevant courses such as Basic Surgical Skills, ATLS (which must be current), CCrISP, and head and neck anatomy or dissection courses.
• OMFS surgical courses: You score 1 point per OMFS-specific course up to 5; choose hands-on courses with clear certificates.
• OMFS logbook: You can score 1 to 15 points across three categories: dentoalveolar surgery (including emergencies), trauma (including emergencies), and other OMFS procedures. Each category scores 1 for under 25 cases, 2 for 25–50, 3 for 50–75, 4 for 75–100, and 5 for over 100. A case counts only if coded as P, S-TU or S-TS in ISCP or the eLogbook.
• Non-OMFS surgical logbook: You score 1 to 5 points based on volume; summarise clearly and avoid duplication with the OMFS logbook.
• Higher degrees: A PhD or MD by research scores 5 points; a master’s by thesis and examination scores 3; a relevant PG diploma or certificate scores 1.
• Prizes and awards: A national prize scores 5 points; a high‑achievement award such as honours or distinction scores 4 (not if more than 15% of your year received it); a local prize scores 1.
• Quality improvement and audit: You can score up to 5 points; completing and presenting two full cycles with your involvement in all stages typically scores 3.
• Presentations: A national or international oral presentation scores 5 points; a national or international poster scores 4; regional oral scores 3; regional poster scores 2; local scores 1.
• Publications: First or joint‑first author on two or more PubMed‑cited original research papers scores 5 points; a published book chapter scores 1.
• Collaborative research roles: A steering committee role scores 2 points; a site lead, local collaborator or data collector scores 1.
• Teaching qualifications: An MSc in Education scores 3 points; a PGDip scores 2; a PGCert scores 1.
• Course organisation: Being the principal organiser of a relevant course scores 4 points; being on the faculty scores 2.
• Achievements outside medicine: A significant or national‑level achievement scores 3 points; other notable achievements score 1.

Evidence and verification

Your evidence is verified by a specialty assessor who can reduce scores and may deduct marks for including unnecessary items; if you upload nothing for a domain, it scores zero. Each achievement can only be used once. In recent rounds, candidates have been asked to upload a single consolidated PDF per question within the portal window, and assessors have only reviewed the first item where too many documents were uploaded, so curate tightly. Logbook summaries must be signed by a consultant with their name and GMC number, and must not contain patient‑identifiable data. There is no bonus for “sole‑application”; scoring is based on verified achievements.

What to upload. Typical evidence for each domain:

• Certificates and transcripts for MFDS/MJDF and MRCS
• Certificates for courses (e.g., Basic Surgical Skills, ATLS, CCrISP, head and neck anatomy/dissection)
• OMFS and non-OMFS logbook summaries signed by a consultant, including their name and GMC number, with no patient-identifiable data
• Prize/award letters; proof of BAOMS membership; bursary letters with required reflections
• QI/audit reports showing your role and cycle completion
• Presentation certificates or conference programmes; PubMed-indexed publication proofs
• Teaching qualifications and course-organisation confirmations
• Evidence of OMFS clinical links (on-calls, taster weeks, elective reports with reflection)

Common pitfalls: do and don’t

• Do: Code OMFS cases correctly as P, S‑TU or S‑TS and get regular consultant sign‑off; uncoded lists won’t score.
• Do: Attach the 200–250 word reflection for your OMFS elective; without it the point can be lost.
• Do: Ensure ATLS is current on the day you submit evidence; expired ATLS will not count.
• Don’t: Double‑claim the same item in more than one domain; assessors will reduce scores.
• Don’t: Upload bloated evidence packs; over‑supplying can lead to deductions, and only the first item may be reviewed.
• Don’t: Forget BAOMS membership and bursaries; they are low‑effort points if documented properly.

Actions to take now

• Grow your OMFS logbook: Book OMFS on‑calls and trauma lists; log contemporaneously and seek monthly consultant validation.
• Secure easy points early: Join BAOMS, apply for a bursary, and plan an OMFS elective with a reflective write‑up.
• Refresh core courses: Book ATLS and Basic Surgical Skills; add an OMFS‑specific course and a head and neck dissection course.
• Deliver a complete QI cycle: Choose an OMFS pathway issue, run two cycles, then present locally or regionally.
• Target one citable output and one talk: Aim for a PubMed‑cited paper or letter and a regional or national oral presentation.
• Formalise teaching: If you can, complete a PGCert in Medical Education or an equivalent; log teaching and, if you can, organise a teaching day.

If you are moving from the Foundation Programme, build in OMFS tasters early so you can evidence on‑calls and cases by the upload window.

The Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview: A Brief Overview

OMFS ST1 selection ends with a single national interview, run virtually in recent rounds. It takes about an hour in total and every candidate rotates through four stations. NHS England describes the station topics as indicative and confirms specifics nearer the interview dates. For the station-by-station format, scoring and realistic practice scenarios, use the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank.

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Offers, Preferencing and What Happens Next

Here’s how the post-allocation stage runs for OMFS ST1 on the national system.

1. Preferencing: After your interview, you’ll be asked to rank all available OMFS ST1 posts you’re willing to accept in Oriel. Rank widely to keep options open; you won’t be offered a post you didn’t preference.
2. Initial offers: Offers are released in rank order based on your final selection score and your preferences. You’ll receive a single offer at a time for the highest-ranked post that can be matched to you.
3. Responding to an offer (the hold-down period): In Oriel you can accept, decline, or place the offer on hold until the national hold deadline. Holding buys you time to consider other possibilities without losing the offer you have.
4. Opting into automatic upgrades: If you opt in, Oriel will automatically upgrade you to a higher-ranked preferenced post if one becomes available before the published upgrade deadline. No action is needed from you when an upgrade happens.
5. After acceptance: Once you accept (with or without upgrades), your employer completes pre-employment checks and issues your contract. Training is expected to start from August 2027.

Note: For the 2027 round, initial offers are released at 5pm on Tuesday 6 April 2027, the hold deadline is 9am on Friday 9 April 2027 and the upgrade deadline is 4pm on Wednesday 14 April 2027. Work backwards from those dates when you plan your decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Application

How competitive is OMFS ST1 in recent years?

OMFS ST1 is competitive, with smaller applicant pools because the medical-plus-dental requirement narrows eligibility. NHS England’s competition ratios show 77 applications for 22 posts in 2025 (3.5:1), compared with 34 for 18 posts in 2024 (1.89:1). Ratios move year to year, so a strong self-assessment, robust OMFS logbook and well-verified evidence can meaningfully improve your rank.

What are the eligibility requirements for OMFS ST1 in 2027?

You must hold an MBBS/BMBS (or equivalent) with full GMC registration, and on the dental side either full GDC registration or a fully UK‑registerable dental qualification by the advertised post start date. It is one or the other, not both. You must also evidence Foundation Programme competences. The 2027 person specification also requires that you do not hold, or be eligible to hold, a CCT, and are not already eligible for the specialist register in OMFS, including through the GMC Portfolio Pathway.

Do I need MRCS or MFDS to apply for OMFS ST1?

No. Neither MRCS nor MFDS is required for eligibility at ST1, and there is no MSRA or other shortlisting test. However, the self‑assessment awards points for passing MRCS and MFDS (both parts), or one of them, so having these can boost your score even though they’re not mandatory to apply.

How does the OMFS ST1 application process work on Oriel?

You submit a single national application via Oriel. Inside the form you complete a self‑assessment that cannot be changed after submission. You’ll then upload evidence to a dedicated portal for verification; assessors can reduce scores and may deduct marks for unnecessary items, while any domain with no evidence scores zero. Achievements can only score once. You rank programmes later in preferencing; you don’t choose posts at application.

What scores well on the OMFS ST1 self‑assessment and portfolio?

The highest‑yield domain is the OMFS operative logbook, worth up to 15 points across dentoalveolar, trauma and other categories, using performed codes (P/S‑TU/S‑TS) and consultant‑signed summaries. Intercollegiate exams (both MRCS and MFDS) add up to 4 points. OMFS and generic surgical courses, BAOMS‑linked activities, higher degrees, QI/audit, presentations, publications, teaching qualifications and course organisation also score. Upload only what’s requested and label evidence clearly.

How many OMFS ST1 posts are there each year?

NHS England publishes national post numbers annually. In 2025 there were 22 OMFS ST1 posts nationwide, with 77 applicants. The number of posts varies by year. Because recruitment is national, you’ll preference all available programmes on Oriel and be allocated through the central process rather than applying to individual hospitals.

Can I reapply for OMFS ST1 if I’m unsuccessful?

Yes. You can reapply in a later round as long as you still meet the person specification, including the medical and dental requirement and Foundation Programme competences. There is no published cap on the number of attempts in Oriel. Use the feedback on your verified self‑assessment to target gaps, particularly in the OMFS logbook and other higher‑scoring domains.

How do offers, preferencing and upgrades work for OMFS ST1?

After interviews, you’ll rank programmes on Oriel. If you opt into upgrades, Oriel automatically moves you to any higher‑ranked preference that becomes available before the national upgrade deadline, without contacting you. You can accept, hold (to remain eligible for upgrades) or decline an offer. NHS England’s Offers, Feedback and Upgrades guidance sets the rules that apply to OMFS ST1.

Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Useful Resources

Here are the core, authoritative links you’ll actually use during the 2027 round:

• NHS England Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ST1 selection process: national selection stages and how scoring works.
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery ST1 Person Specification (2027): eligibility, qualifications and entry criteria.
• Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank: full interview breakdown with practice scenarios and model answers.

OMFS is a unique pathway and the application can feel intense, but you’ve now got a clear plan. Remember the two big anchors: you need a medical degree alongside either GDC registration or a UK-registerable dental qualification, and selection runs in three parts with an unchangeable Oriel self-assessment followed by an evidence upload that verifies your score before interviews. Focus your time where it counts and avoid over-uploading.

Conclusion

You’ve seen what matters for OMFS ST1 in 2027: confirm eligibility, plan to the published dates, complete the self‑assessment carefully, and curate a tight evidence folder before focusing on interview performance. When you’re ready to prepare for the stations, work through the Oral and Maxillo Facial Surgery ST1 Interview Question Bank for targeted practice and model answers written by high‑scoring trainees.