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In this section you will find advice and support on associateships in dentistry, including our popular UDA value checker, contract checking services and more.

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For associates and practice owners

Updated UDA value checker

Understanding the financial details of England's NHS dental contract can be challenging, even for experienced professionals. Our exclusive UDA value checking tool helps members compare their practice to local and national averages, supporting confident and informed choices.
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Receiving New Patient Premium payments as an associate

From March 2024, NHS England has paid a New Patient Premium (NPP) to contractors for seeing patients who haven’t been seen in the last 24 months.

Negotiating your UDA rate in England: Practical guidance for associates

Confidently renegotiate your payments for NHS work where you practice. Understand how the annual pay uplift works, why it doesn't directly benefit associates, and how to build a strong case for negotiating the Units of Dental Activity (UDA) rate to which your licence fee is applied.

Your personal brand

How do you want your patients to view you as a dentist, and view your practice? Your personal brand can be an opportunity to show your expertise, personality and values.

Exclusively for BDA members

Are you participating in the Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme?

The Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme runs until 31 March 2026, and is separate from UDAs. NHS England has not clarified how associates should be remunerated, so this will be up to individual practices and associates to determine. To support fair implementation, we have developed a clear and consistent approach to distributing any Scheme payments, designed to work for all associates and to reflect each performer’s contribution to urgent care activity.
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Advice

Associateships

Planned leave from the practice

Discover how dental associates can manage planned leave professionally. Learn about autonomy, contractual obligations, and best practices for smooth operations.

Advice

Associateships

How to negotiate your associate agreement

Whether you are reviewing your first associate agreement or renegotiating terms of an existing contract, understanding how to approach the conversation can make all the difference.

Advice

Associateships

Working as an associate after a practice sale

The following guidance outlines key considerations to help associates protect their position and establish a clear, professional relationship with a new practice owner.

Advice

Associateships

Understanding your income

As a dental associate, understanding your income is essential for managing your finances and ensuring transparency in your earnings; whether you are working in a private practice, under an NHS contract, or a mix of both.

Advice

Associateships

Associate agreements: What practices should consider

There are considerations practice owners need to make before drafting an associate agreement. We outline the common factors that can impact on the working relationship between a practice and associates.

Advice

Employing staff

Avoiding discrimination and managing complaints

What you need to do to avoid claims of discrimination, and how to respond if a complaint arises.

Advice

Employing staff

Equality and diversity in the workplace

Understand your responsibilities under anti-discrimination legislation in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Advice

Choosing and changing practices as an associate

Retention post-agreement

When an associate leaves a dental practice, any retention of pay must be handled transparently and in line with contractual agreements. 

Advice

Choosing and changing practices as an associate

Your working arrangements during your notice period

Your notice period is a time to manage your exit professionally while continuing to meet your obligations to the practice and patients. Associates should check contracts carefully, as there are likely to be specific requirements that apply during this time. It is important to communicate clearly with the practice and make any necessary arrangements to fulfil outstanding responsibilities. 

Advice

Choosing and changing practices as an associate

Associates leaving a practice

Understand your obligations when you leave a dental practice as an associate and possible implications imposed by your agreement with the practice owner. 

Advice

Choosing and changing practices as an associate

Restrictive covenants

Understand the restrictions to your working arrangements when you move to a different dental setting.

Advice

Business finances

Types of tax and implications for dentists

A basic overview of the different types of tax and how they impact associates and practice owners.

Exclusively for BDA members

Dental market insight report 2025

Dentists working in general practice are uniquely exposed to changes in the economy. Our report gives you information on associate earnings, costs facing practices and pay of your DCP colleagues. We’ve identified the ICBs with the highest and lowest UDAs, and analysed both NHS and private revenue.
Read the report
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Exclusively for BDA members

Associate contract reviews

We can review your associate contract as part of any membership package. Our standard turn-around time is 10 working days, however please note that during busy periods it may be a little longer.
Learn more
BDA Practice Management Consultant Ezra Moffatt smiling confidently towards the camera

Blogs

Blog

Joining the GDPC Private Practice Sub-Committee: My journey to advocacy and connection

New committee member Neelam Prasad reflects on moving into private practice and the value of a support network, mentorship and advocacy.

Blog

Top tips for competitive associate pay

To keep your salary in line with your expectations, skills, and experience, it is a good idea to request a review of your fees with the practice owner every year. Practice Management Consultant, Sabina Mirza, shares tips to help you feel confident in initiating pay discussions.

Blog

Associate Agreements and the New Patient Premium

James Goldman, Associate Director of Advisory Services at the BDA, on what the New Patient Premium means for associates.

Blog

Your conduct matters: The impact of new harassment laws on associates

Practice Management Consultant, Nashima Morgan, discusses how taking the relevant steps now to help create a respectful working environment can safeguard against sexual harassment claims arising in the future.

For extra and expert members

Contact our associateships team

We support members on a wide range of matters related to associateships, including pay and contracts. If you're an Extra or Expert member, you have access to unlimited one-to-one advice from us via phone or email, in addition to the online guidance.
Contact us
James Goldman, Associate Director of Advisory Services at the BDA, smiling towards the camera
Collection of articles

Associates collection

This collection of articles from BDJ In Practice brings together recent articles of interest to Associates working in UK dental practices. Covering all aspects of life as an Associate, it provides a convenient update on current hot topics in UK dentistry.
Associates collection
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