'Associates' Blog Posts

• Top tips for competitive associate pay

  ​Associates often ask us what percentage is fair for splitting costs with practice owners. We recommend reaching a figure based on the individual circumstances of each practice.

  Blog Date 12 January, 2023

• How associate contracts can offer independence

  Associates are self-employed. Self-employed people have freedom and independence. They control how work is carried out and have influence over their earnings.

  Blog Date 10 January, 2023

• A different type of associate and practice owner relationship

  What worker status might mean for you.

  Blog Date 16 November, 2022

• England: Championing a bright future for associates

  Dentists’ deep frustrations with NHS dentistry are driving a move to private practice. We are making sure associates’ voices are heard, looking to ensure the system reform process results in meaningful changes for everyone.

  Blog Date 24 May, 2022

• Scotland and Northern Ireland: Tips for managing locum cover

  When associates need to take time away from the practice, it is important to work together to find the right solution.

  Blog Date 21 March, 2022

• Associates: Helping you plan for maternity leave

  What you need to know about maternity and parental leave as a self-employed associate.

  Blog Date 19 January, 2022

• Associates: What you need to know about vicarious liability

  A recent High Court case on vicarious liability in dentistry and what impacts it could have on you, particularly if you have an NHS contract in England or Wales.

  Blog Date 16 August, 2021

• The case against Uber: What it means for associate dentists

  The Supreme court’s decision changes everything for Uber drivers but is unlikely to have any impact on dentistry’s self-employed associates.

  Blog Date 25 February, 2021

• Associates, is your employment status up for debate?

  James Goldman tells us whether IR35 changes will impact the employment status of dental associates and lead to large tax bills for practice owners.

  Blog Date 21 February, 2020

• Dentists' associate agreements: key terms to look out for

  Have you looked closely at your associate contract before signing it? Here's some tips from a BDA adviser on why you should pay attention to the 'small print'.

  Blog Date 12 November, 2018

• Five things dentists need to know about the 2018 Budget

  A summary of the Autumn Budget, with the key issues affecting dentists highlighted.

  Blog Date 1 November, 2018

• Managing problems at work: have you tried mediation?

  If you are experiencing issues with staff at work, before escalating it to the level of getting expensive legal representation involved, consider trying our mediation service first – it's free, and it could help you to resolve problems, before things deteriorate, saving you time and money.

  Blog Date 9 October, 2018

• Orthodontic tendering and TUPE: what you need to know

  In the context of changes to orthodontic tendering in England, James Goldman explains what TUPE is and what it means for contract holders and the associates working for them.

  Blog Date 5 October, 2018

• Championing holistic patient care: a look at some recent research

  Jasdeep Brar takes a look a recent research paper on cancer patients who have received oral care pre-op, and summarises the findings. He explains why the study raises important points for dentists who are striving to ensure holistic patient care.

  Blog Date 26 September, 2018

• Feeling disengaged as a dental associate? Tips to get your career back on track

  Feeling unhappy at work as a dental associate? Dental business strategist Asif Syed offers some tips on how to turn the negatives into positives and take control of your career.

  Blog Date 25 September, 2018

• Time to review your dental associate contract? Update on the BDA associate agreement

  ​We have updated our template dental associate agreements to reflect feedback from members and developments in law - now might be a good time for you to review your contract with your practice owner.

  Blog Date 29 August, 2018

• Dental contract reform: Can we ditch the UDA system for good?

  Henrik Overgaard-Nielsen outlines some of the key points from the Government's report on the progress of the dental prototype practices in their first year, and what this might mean for the future of NHS dentistry.

  Blog Date 5 June, 2018

• Can we be more 'green' in dentistry? Sustainable dentistry in your practice

  Sara Harford raises the question of how 'green' dentistry currently is, it's impact on climate change and what we might be able to do to deliver healthcare more sustainably.

  Blog Date 15 May, 2018

• Top tips for new young dentists: overcoming the challenges ahead

  A mid-career associate dentists shares his experience of some of the challenges faced by young dentists starting out in practice and his tips on how to overcome them.

  Blog Date 14 March, 2018