Overview
From 1 April 2026, NHS dentistry in Wales will move to a new national contract that will permanently replace the 2006 Units of Dental Activity (UDA)-based system. This change represents a significant shift in how practices receive their NHS funding and, importantly, how you will be remunerated for the care that you provide.
Under the new arrangements, a practice’s NHS income will be divided into several defined components. Around 70% of that income will relate to the delivery of care packages, with the remaining delivery linked to urgent access, new patient assessments, routine recalls, prevention activity, and a range of other national clinical priorities. As an associate, the work that you carry out within these categories will directly determine the income you generate and receive.
This revised contract model removes the previous emphasis on UDAs and instead focuses on the type of care that is delivered to patients. Our advice explains the practical implications for you, including how our updated Contract will reflect this redesigned remuneration structure. You will now be paid solely based on the NHS income that you personally produce under the new framework, and your practice should charge you a licence fee which is calculated as a percentage of that income. This means that if your activity is lower than anticipated, both you and the practice will earn less.
While this system simplifies the financial relationship that runs between associates and practice owners, it relies on effective data capture and the close monitoring of activity. Ensuring that the treatment you provide to your patients is recorded promptly and correctly will be essential in order to safeguard your income, as well as support the practice in meeting its contractual obligations. Accurate recording of treatment will also help you in maintaining a positive and transparent working relationship with your practice owner.