Pay

The problem

High street NHS dentists have seen a fall in real incomes with no parallel in the public sector. This collapse in pay is putting a struggling workforce under huge pressure, and fuelling an access crisis.

The solution

We continue to show the impact underinvestment is having on the service. Dentists are not striking, they are simply walking away, and NHS dentistry is now at crisis point. Dentists need to see a future if choosing to build a career in this service.

Our impact

We gather evidence from all areas of dentistry which helps to make the case for fair pay to the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists Remuneration (DDRB) each year.

Tools and support

Our popular UDA value checker analyses the estimated UDA value for all NHS contracts in England so that members can compare their practice or the practice where you work to the local and national averages.

Latest information on pay across the UK

Latest news

England: DFT service costs uplifted for first time in a decade

Service costs payments to practices providing Dental Foundation Training (DFT) have been uplifted for the first time in a decade, as a result of our determined campaigning.

Wales: Spectacular display of bad faith from Ministers on pay

We have slammed attempts by the Welsh Government to pass the buck on record breaking delays on pay uplifts for NHS dentists.

England: Dentists handed pay cut after record-breaking delay

Ministers have now approved a real pay cut for dentists in England, after record-breaking delays.

Understanding your Remediable Pension Savings Statement

New advice about what the information means, and the action you should take.

Pay Award announced for NHS GDP and PDS Dentists in Scotland

Details of the new pay award and when it will be implemented.

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.

Pensions for Armed Forces Reservists

Reservists in the Forces between 2000-2015 may be entitled to backdated membership to the non-contributory Armed Forces pension schemes.

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.

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.

Wales: Resolution of disputed volumetric target in GDS contract variation

Many practices in the GDS reform programme have been facing an unobtainable 75% target for historic patients and left wondering how to deliver their contract this year.

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Pay