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

Northern Ireland: Minister responds on GDS concerns

Further information relating to ‘General Dental Services investment 2025-26’ have been outlined by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

England: Contractors required to complete the NPP payment audit

NHS England is asking contractors to audit a sample of 20-30 patients where a New Patient Premium (NPP) was received to confirm that the patient was ‘new’ under the scheme.

LDC Conference 2025: Time to give reform some welly

GDPC Chair Shiv Pabary addresses LDC Conference on the future of the NHS contract.

A paper ‘pay rise’ that won’t cover mounting cost of care

Headline pay uplifts of 4% confirmed today will do little to halt the exodus from NHS dentistry, unless Government is willing to cover the real costs of delivering care.

Annual Reconciliation Report for 2024-2025

The Annual Reconciliation Report process is underway for the last financial year. Between 1 April and 30 June, NHS contract holders are obliged to confirm the actual Net Pensionable Earnings for the previous financial year for each dentist at the practice.

Hard to follow: A consultation on a new unnegotiated contract

The model for a new General Dental Services contract is now published. We will of course give a full and informed response as to whether it meets the specific needs of patients and the profession.

“We’re not all in this together”: Treasury cuts leave £1.5bn hole in budget

Dental charges are set to rise again this April, so business as usual with more stealth cuts.

Northern Ireland: Demanding clarity on backpay

We are insisting on urgent clarity on pay for GDPs in Northern Ireland, following a Department of Health announcement that backdated pay will not be implemented until at least May 2025.

Updates to the Scottish Dental Access Initiative and Recruitment and Retention Allowance

The latest remuneration changes in Scotland.

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.

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Pay