The provision of NHS dentistry in Scotland is governed by the National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Regulations 2010 and supporting PCA (Primary Care Administration) circulars, which together establish the contractual framework within which dentists must operate.
This advice is intended to help you understand your obligations when arranging cover, managing absences, and accessing NHS payments, and to know where to look for further information. In particular, it highlights when you must notify your Health Board (HB), how to engage deputies or assistants appropriately, and where prior approval may be required for extended arrangements.
If you expect to be absent from practice, you will need to consider early how patient care will be maintained. The regulations distinguish between deputies, who act on your behalf, and assistants, who support service delivery as employees. Requirements differ depending on the arrangement, including eligibility for inclusion on the dental list, notification to the HB, and the responsibilities that remain with you as the contractor.
The guidance also outlines the key differences between these roles, including how patient lists are managed and where accountability for care sits. You should ensure that any contractual, employment and pension requirements are addressed when engaging an assistant, and that appropriate notifications are made within required timescales.
In addition, the advice introduces the range of allowances and payments available under the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR), including provisions for seniority, long-term sickness and parental leave. These payments are subject to specific eligibility criteria and claims processes, which you will need to follow carefully.
Further sections of this guidance explain how these arrangements operate in practice, including the interaction between NHS commitment, absence from practice, and entitlement to payments.