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Exclusively for BDA members

New: Dental market insight report 2025

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 new 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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Templates, checklists and audits

A one-stop-shop with the templates needed to comply with national standards, exclusively for our Expert members.

Confidential counselling for members

All our members have access to Health Assured, a confidential service designed to help you deal with personal and professional problems that are affecting your wellbeing.

Associate contract reviews

An associate contract review will support you to ensure that you have the right agreement in place and understand it fully. We're here to help.

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NHS contracts and tendering

Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme payments

Guidance on a practical way for practices and associates to approach the Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme, suggesting a fair method for distributing any additional income earned through urgent care activity.

Advice

GDC registration for overseas dentists

ORE, LDS, and eligibility to practise dentistry in the UK

To work as a dentist in the UK, you must meet GDC eligibility requirements, including qualification recognition and language proficiency. Most dentists qualified outside of the European Economic Area need to pass the ORE or LDS registration exams. You will also need to consider any potential visa requirements.

Advice

Managing and informing patients

Managing abusive patients

Abuse from patients is a growing concern for dental professionals. Protocols differ between NHS and private care, and across UK nations; however, one principle is clear: no dental team member should face abuse.

Advice

Associateships

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.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Criminal record checks

Each nation has a specific process to follow to confirm that team members have undergone criminal record checks and are safe to work with patients.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Safer recruitment and training

Safe working practices begin with robust recruitment procedures to ensure that only suitable individuals are engaged to work with all patients.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Decision making, mental capacity and competency

This advice outlines how dental practices should support patients in making informed decisions, assess mental capacity, and understand legal safeguards when liberty or autonomy may be restricted.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Safeguarding adults

Safeguarding adults involves protecting individuals who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation due to age, disability, or other vulnerabilities.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Safeguarding children

Safeguarding children means protecting them from harm, abuse, and neglect, and promoting their wellbeing in all environments. Everyone working with or around children has a duty to recognise concerns and take appropriate action to keep them safe.

Advice

Managing and informing patients

Managing patient appointments

Suggestions on successful ways of managing patient appointments in your practice.

Advice

Safeguarding dental patients

Safeguarding in dental practices

This advice provides a general outline of safeguarding in dental practices.

Advice

Health, safety and risk assessment

Sharps and inoculation injuries

Advice on how to prevent and manage sharps and inoculation injuries in the dental practice.

Support when you need it

Wellbeing resources for dentists

Explore support services, counselling, further reading, and resources to help you manage stress, build resilience, and feel more connected. Whether you’re looking for 1:1 help, peer support, or practical tools - you can find everything related to mental health and wellbeing on our wellbeing hub.
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Become an affiliate member

Overseas-qualified dentist? Working towards GDC registration?

Navigating GDC registration can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our Affiliate membership gives you the guidance, resources and support to make the process smoother and clearer.
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Exclusively for BDA members

Check out our bite-size advice videos

As a complement to our wide range of detailed written advice, we have produced a series of short videos where our experts share their insight on the business matters you ask us about most frequently - from partnerships and complaints handling to financial management and long-term leave.
Advice videos A-Z
Bespoke help when you need it

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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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.
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For Expert members

HR consultancy services

If you have recruitment and selection pressures, or grievances or disciplinaries looming, we’ll take over. Our HR, practice management and business consultants will listen to your dilemma and design a plan to deal with the issues. Save yourself time and money.
Delegate your HR to us