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In this section you will find advice and support on associateships in dentistry, including our popular UDA value checker, contract checking services and more.

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Exclusively for BDA members

New: Dental market insight report 2025

Dentists working in general practice are uniquely exposed to changes in the economy. Our new report gives you the latest information on associate earnings, costs facing practices and pay of your DCP colleagues. We’ve identified the ICBs with the highest and lowest UDAs, and analysed both NHS and private revenue.
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Receiving New Patient Premium payments as an associate

From March 2024, NHS England has paid a New Patient Premium (NPP) to contractors for seeing patients who haven’t been seen in the last 24 months.

Associates seeking a pay rise (England)

Our advice can help you confidently renegotiate your payments for NHS work where you practice. Understand how the annual pay uplift works, why it doesn't directly benefit associates, and how to build a strong case for better pay.

Your personal brand

How do you want your patients to view you as a dentist, and view your practice? Your personal brand can be an opportunity to show your expertise, personality and values.

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Advice

Personal finances

Saving for retirement as a dentist

A guide on financial planning for your retirement - kindly provided by our trusted partners Chase de Vere

Advice

Personal finances

Taking an income at retirement

A guide to help you understand the key issues and decisions that will affect your income after retiring as a dentist - kindly provided by our trusted partners Chase de Vere.

Advice

Personal finances

Pensions tax planning for dentists

A guide exploring a key tax planning opportunity - making pension contributions - and how a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) could help you to take control of your pension. Kindly provided by our trusted partners Chase de Vere.

Advice

Associate contracts

The mydentist associate agreement

The mydentist associate agreement has been changed to bring it more into line with the BDA model associate agreement. Here we outline what you need to know about it and how it is different to our model associate agreement. 

Advice

Associate contracts

Contracting with a corporate dental practice on the ADG associate agreement

The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has produced a model associate agreement for its members based on the BDA's model. On this page we comment on some of the most important features in the ADG associate agreement to help you make informed decisions.

Advice

Career options

Working abroad

Opportunities to broaden your horizons by gaining professional experience abroad.

Advice

Associateships

Your personal brand

How do you want your patients to view you as a dentist, and view your practice? Your personal brand can be an opportunity to show your expertise, personality and values.

Advice

Business finances

Tax

A basic overview of your various possible tax obligations in the dental practice.

Advice

Personal finances

Investment planning and asset allocation

A step-by-step framework to investment planning and asset allocation - kindly provided by our trusted partners Chase de Vere

Advice

Managing and informing patients

Supporting Muslim dental patients observing Ramadan

Practical advice on anticipating and meeting patient needs during the month of fasting.

Advice

NHS contracts and tendering

Running out of UDAs before the end of the year in England and Wales

Here are our recommendations to avoid exhausting NHS activity before the end of the year.

Advice

Health, safety and risk assessment

Using dental amalgam in the UK

This advice provides information on the use of dental amalgam in the UK.

Exclusively for BDA members

Associate contract reviews

We can review your associate contract as part of any membership package. Our standard turn-around time is 10 working days, however please note that during busy periods it may be a little longer.
Learn more
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For associates and practice owners

UDA value checker

Understanding the financial details of England's NHS dental contract can be challenging, even for experienced professionals. Our exclusive UDA value checking tool helps members compare their practice to local and national averages, supporting confident and informed choices.
Find out more and download
UDA tracker tool preview

Blogs

Blog

Northern Ireland: Navigating dental tourism

Paul Brennan, Chair of Northern Ireland Council, on why dentists need clarity on their responsibilities after patients have treatment abroad.

Blog

Associate Agreements and the New Patient Premium

James Goldman, Associate Director of Advisory Services at the BDA, on what the New Patient Premium means for associates.

Blog

Your conduct matters: The impact of new harassment laws on associates

Practice Management Consultant, Nashima Morgan, discusses how taking the relevant steps now to help create a respectful working environment can safeguard against sexual harassment claims arising in the future.

Blog

Top tips for competitive associate pay

What percentage is fair when splitting costs between associates and practice owners. We recommend a figure based on the circumstances of each practice.

For extra and expert members

Contact our associateships team

We support members on a wide range of matters related to associateships, including pay and contracts. If you're an Extra or Expert member, you have access to unlimited one-to-one advice from us via phone or email, in addition to the online guidance.
Contact us
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Collection of articles

Associates collection

This collection of articles from BDJ In Practice brings together recent articles of interest to Associates working in UK dental practices. Covering all aspects of life as an Associate, it provides a convenient update on current hot topics in UK dentistry.
Associates collection
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Article collection: Dental tourism

Dental tourism is a hot topic, and with more patients forecast to head overseas for treatment - not to mention countries providing treatment forecasting huge increases in revenue based on the sector - BDJ in Practice has canvassed the profession to find out what it thinks of dental tourism.
Explore the collection
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You might also be interested in

Private practice

Offering patients private treatments, either exclusively or alongside NHS work, can offer professional and financial rewards.

Managing and informing patients

Communication is often the reason for a patient's complaint. Being proactive about providing information and ensuring the whole team is aware of policies and protocols can mitigate the likelihood of complaints.

Employment law

Every practice requires an effective HR function to manage its workforce, policies and compliance with employment law.