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Dental market insight report 2026

Dentists working in general practice - be they associates, practice owners and partners, or running practices on behalf of larger groups - are uniquely exposed to changes in the economy. Our report is essential reading for anyone interested in how the current political and economic context affects general dental practice in the UK.

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The Latest

What's new?

Emails about data protection officer requirements

Dental practices are receiving emails from the Data Protection Officers Association containing claims about data protection officer requirements and NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit compliance.

England: Service not on ‘road to recovery’

Unmet need for NHS dentistry remains at near record highs.

Penny pinching on dental academia will undermine workforce plans

Planned cuts to funding for clinical academics could have severe knock-on effects on the ability to train the next generation of dentists.

England: Don’t let minsters mark their own homework on dentistry

We are urging MPs to drop government plans to abolish Healthwatch England.

England: Care pathways come with disproportionate burden

We have warned the profession that the administrative, reporting and clinical requirements involved in delivering Complex Care Pathways (CCPs) are disproportionate and risk making the new payment tariffs unattractive. 

England: Government exempt quality improvement and appraisals from uplifts

Officials take a pick-and-mix approach to supporting contract holders.

Ham-fisted reform rollout to undermine patient care

Software suppliers raise red flags over practicalities ahead of the new NHS Dental Services Portal launch.

Northern Ireland: How low can you go?

Registration crash shows writing on wall for Health Service dentistry.

700 days on: What has happened to the Governments promise to ban energy drink sales to children

Children are still able to buy sugary, acidic, high caffeine drinks – and do so at an alarming rate.

Shawn Charlwood awarded MBE

We are delighted to report that Shawn Charlwood has been awarded the Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to dentistry in the King’s Birthday Honours.

LDC delegates demand Government action following controversial reforms

A series of urgent calls for reform took centre stage at the Local Dental Committees (LDC) Annual Conference in Manchester (4–5 June).

England: DPH workforce - Concessions, but deep cuts remain

We’ve secured some reductions in the level of cuts to the Dental Public Health (DPH) workforce, but these concessions don’t do enough to protect this strategically essential function.

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Downloads for your dental practice

Expert members have access to our popular library of audits, checklists, and templates - giving you a head start in running a safe, compliant and successful practice.

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1-2-1 advice for Extra and Expert members

As an Extra or Expert member, you can rely on unlimited, one-to-one support from our industry experts whenever you need it. Whether you need quick guidance or in-depth support, our expert advisors are here to help.

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Learning and development

Event - 18 September 2026 (London)

A day with Dr Francesca Vailati

Don't miss our exclusive one-day masterclass with Dr. Francesca Vailati, internationally renowned for her expertise in adhesive dentistry and functional rehabilitation. This event is designed for dentists wanting to understand, diagnose and manage occlusal instability through a modern, minimally invasive approach.

Secure your place

Blogs in focus

Blog Thursday 16 Jul 2026

Early cracks in the 2026 General Dental Services contract

Three months into the changes to the General Dental Services (GDS) contract, growing feedback from practices across Wales suggests that challenges around patient access, administration, technology, and implementation are causing increasing pressure.

Blog Thursday 16 Jul 2026

Complex Care Pathways: A step forward, but key concerns remain

The principle of Complex Care Pathways is clinically sound, but concerns around funding, risk, and administration mean the model is not yet fully workable.

Blog Friday 10 Jul 2026

Good Practice helps ambitious dentists be the best they can be

Patrick Rea, Principal Dentist at Sandown Dental and Implant Clinic, shares how structure, efficiency, and strong team working form the foundations of a positive work environment and excellent patient care.

Blog Thursday 2 Jul 2026

How NHS tie-ins could backfire on dentistry in England

Jeremy Boyles, Chair of the Young Dentists Committee, and Nyah Patel, Chair of the BDSA on why tying future dental students to the NHS won't fix a broken system.

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Dental market insight report 2026

The Latest

What's new?

Emails about data protection officer requirements

England: Service not on ‘road to recovery’

Penny pinching on dental academia will undermine workforce plans

England: Don’t let minsters mark their own homework on dentistry

England: Care pathways come with disproportionate burden

England: Government exempt quality improvement and appraisals from uplifts

Ham-fisted reform rollout to undermine patient care

Northern Ireland: How low can you go?

700 days on: What has happened to the Governments promise to ban energy drink sales to children

Shawn Charlwood awarded MBE

LDC delegates demand Government action following controversial reforms

England: DPH workforce - Concessions, but deep cuts remain

You do dentistry. We do advice.

Your dental business

Associates

Employed dentists

Patient care and practice safety

Employment law

England: UDA contract changes

Wales: NHS contract reform

Wellbeing