Campaigning for change in UK dentistry

Priorities

Learn about our current priorities.

Lobbying

Learn about our lobbying work in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Take action

Learn how to get involved in our campaigns.

Shining a spotlight on community dentistry

CDS Week 11-15 November

The role of CDS dentists is largely unknown, yet they make up a crucial part of the dental workforce, delivering care for some of the most vulnerable patients in our society - people that for one reason or another cannot access conventional high street services. CDS Week signals the start of our endeavour to spotlight CDS dentists, recognise the difference they make, and, most importantly, campaign for solutions to the challenges they face.

Find out more Our CDS vision for England

A dark blue image with an icon of two hands holding a glowing tooth, with the words CDS Week in white

Latest news

Wales: Prospects for a new General Dental Service contract in 2026

While formal contract negotiations with Welsh Government and NHS Wales have concluded, there remains considerable work to bring the new reformed GDS contract to fruition in 2026.

Still awaiting uplift confirmation on NHS GDP uplifts

Governments across the UK are yet to confirm the figure for the uplift to apply to NHS general dental practice fees and contracts.

Keeping dentistry on Westminster’s agenda

We have fought to put dentistry at the very top of the political agenda, and that’s continued into the political parties’ Autumn conference season.

End of industrial action process for hospital trainees

Hospital Dental Trainees in England will soon receive a pay uplift that will amount to an average increase of 22.3% over the course of two years.

Northern Ireland consultants vote to accept pay offer

The BMA Northern Ireland Consultants Committee has formally accepted the Department of Health’s pay offer for consultant doctors and dentists.

Northern Ireland: We seek assurances from the Department of Health on back pay

We are pressing the Department of Health (DoH) to provide assurance to practitioners that the full 6.47% backpay for 2023-24 has now been paid correctly.

England: Progress on pay

Today’s above-inflation 6% pay uplift for high street NHS dentists looks like progress, but after a decade of savage cuts reform must come swiftly to keep the service afloat.

Northern Ireland: Amalgam breakthrough must pave the way for essential dental service reform

On 19 July, the European Commission agreed to the continued use of dental amalgam in Northern Ireland until 31 December 2034, or until a date agreed under the Minamata Convention on Mercury, whichever is earlier.

Scotland: No complacency over future of NHS dentistry

Payment reform represents progress but is not final destination for NHS dentistry in Scotland.

Tell us about the pressures you face in our short GDP survey

We want to understand your views on NHS pay, dentists leaving the field, and patient access to vital services. Make sure your voice gets heard at the most pivotal moment for the profession in decades.

Scotland: Share your views with the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry

The Let’s Be Heard team has developed a specific survey to help the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry understand your views on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Northern Ireland: GDS crisis raised with Stormont Health Committee

On Thursday, we briefed Members of the Legislative Assembly on the seriousness of the situation unfolding within Health Service dentistry.