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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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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.

Associates seeking a pay rise (England)

Our advice can help you 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 better pay.

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

New: Dental market insight report 2025

Dentists working in general practice are uniquely exposed to changes in the economy. Our new report gives you the latest 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
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For associates and practice owners

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.
Find out more and download
UDA tracker tool preview

Blogs

James Goldman 2024 06 Advisors MG 2578 500X500
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.

Nashima Morgan 2024 06 Advisors MG 1437 500X500
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.

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Blog

Top tips for competitive associate pay

What percentage is fair when splitting costs between associates and practice owners. We recommend a figure based on the circumstances of each practice.

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Blog

Associates: Helping you plan for maternity leave

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

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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