The Scottish Government has accepted the recommendation of the 53rd Report of the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration (DDRB)of a 4% increase on the pay element for GDPs, and orthodontic fees.
Our position
As in previous years, we again called for the Scottish Government to apply the pay uplift to the full package of remuneration in the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR), but they did not implement this.
Also, the Scottish Government did not act upon the DDRB recommendation to negotiate the expenses/cost of care element of the uplift directly with the Scottish Dental Practice Committee.
Of particular concern for the current financial year is the impact of measures in the UK Autumn Budget to increase the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance contributions. We asked for full mitigation of the increase in employer’s National Insurance contributions.
The DDRB states that “Primary care will also be facing an increase in staffing costs from the increase in employer’s National Insurance contributions and increases to the National Living Wage. These should be reflected in the uplift to the staffing costs component of primary care contracts.” Our position is that this increase in costs should have been reflected in this pay award.
Details of the uplift
As in previous years, the increase on pay will apply to gross item of service fees and capitation payments. The pay award will be implemented from 1 November 2025 and backdated to 1 April 2025.
The pay award will be included in the October paid November 2025 schedule for claims with an acceptance date on or after 1 November 2025.
Backdated payments will be included in the November paid December 2025 schedule for claims with an acceptance date from 1 April 2025 to 31 October 2025.
Updates have been made to the following.
Determination I - Prior Approval
The prior approval limit will increase by 10% which means a change from £600 to £660. This is reflective of the 6% pay award in 2024-25, and the 4% pay award in 2025-26. The new prior approval limit will apply to courses of treatment with an acceptance date on or after 1 November 2025.
Determination IX - Commitment Payments
Thresholds for commitment payments are increased in line with fee awards on an annual basis, and as such, the commitment payment thresholds will increase by 4%. This will be effective from 1 January 2026.
Amendments to Determination XIV - Practice Allowances, Part I – General Dental Practice Allowance
The amount of General Dental Practice Allowance which can be paid to practices has been increased by 4%, to a maximum of £22,880 per quarter. This change will be effective from 1 January 2026.
All dentists should familiarise themselves with the amendments to the SDR and the associated Scottish Government Circular concerning Primary Care Administration (PCA), which is PCA(D)(2025)3.
Further information
Should you have any enquiries arising from the PCA, they should be taken up with your NHS Board.
Extra and Expert members can contact the team for one-to-one advice by calling 020 7935 0875 or by emailing us at [email protected].