The terms of service are contained in Schedule 1 to the GDS regulations and describe your responsibilities when contracted to provide NHS dentistry. We outline what you need to do under the current arrangements to meet these requirements.
Under current arrangements, patients enter into a capitation agreement following an initial clinical assessment. Care is focused on the ongoing management of oral health, reflecting the post-2023 shift towards a more flexible, patient-centred model. This requires you to apply professional judgement, prioritise prevention, and deliver care that is appropriate to the individual. Patients should be fully involved in decisions about their care, with treatment discussed, agreed, and provided over a clinically appropriate timescale.
Care is structured around a comprehensive initial assessment and risk-based recall, supported by review examinations where needed. This enables you to tailor care to changing patient needs and risk factors. You must also ensure that systems are in place to provide prompt access to urgent care, so patients can receive timely assessment and treatment when required.
Patients benefit from ongoing registration, access to NHS care, and clear treatment planning. Contractors receive capitation payments, alongside item-of-service fees, with some additional payments recognising specific patient needs. A written treatment plan must support transparency, setting out proposed care, expected charges, and any private options.
Alongside clinical care, you must meet a range of contractual and professional obligations, including providing emergency cover, maintaining appropriate records, making referrals where necessary, and ensuring safe, high-quality care.
We recognise that applying these requirements in practice can be complex. The sections below provide practical guidance on key areas to help you understand your obligations, manage common scenarios, and deliver NHS care confidently within the Scottish system.