Fair pay and contracts

Pay

High street NHS dentists have seen a fall in real incomes with no parallel in the public sector. This collapse in pay is putting a struggling workforce under huge pressure, and fuelling an access crisis.

Contract reform

Discredited contracts are fuelling an exodus from the NHS. The payments they receive often bare little relation to the work they do, and some treatments can be delivered at a financial loss. These systems fail high needs patients, who require and deserve more time in the chair.

Pensions

We lobby governments to get a fairer deal on pensions.

Industrial action

We campaign for fair pay for all dentists, a mandate which stretches from negotiating with government to organising strike action when other routes have been exhausted.

BDA support: Closure of NHS England

The Government has confirmed the abolition of NHS England and a reduction in its central workforce. As your trade union, we are here to support any member affected by these changes.

BDA support: Academia

As concerns rise about university finances, we are working to support our members working in academia.

Respond by 19 August

UDA contract proposal: Have your say

The Government's proposed changes to the UDA contract are now out for consultation. These are meaningful improvements, but they can be better and are certainly not the final destination. We will be submitting a formal response, and we strongly encourage you to share your views as well.

Find out more

Latest news

Scotland: Additional SDR changes from 1 November 2025

The Scottish Government has responded to our calls by bringing forward a number of amendments to the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR).

Scotland: The end of 9:1 contracts for consultants

A move towards job plans that are more sustainable and tailored.

Scotland: Download our 2025-26 fees guide

The 2025-26 BDA fees guide is now available to member dentists in Scotland.

Wales: Government must show it’s willing to listen on reform

We have warned Ministers they must show they are willing to reflect the weight of opinion from both the public and the dental profession.

England: Six months late: The latest pay cut from Government

Government has once again failed to deliver the recommendations of our pay review body, delivering another real-terms pay cut to England’s struggling NHS dental service.

Northern Ireland: Update on DDRB, Expenses and Cost-of-Service Review

Minister responds as clarity sought on a range of GDS issues.

England: Contract uplift must be implemented without delay

We need confirmation of the GDPs’ contract uplift, which is nearly five months overdue.

Scotland: Pay award announced for NHS General Dental Practitioners

Details of the new pay award, and when it will be implemented.

CDS pay recommendation made to UK governments

Alongside a 4% uplift, DDRB calls for a wider review of pay and progression to address recruitment and retention challenges.

Northern Ireland: Minister responds on GDS concerns

Further information relating to ‘General Dental Services investment 2025-26’ have been outlined by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

England: Contractors required to complete the NPP payment audit

NHS England is asking contractors to audit a sample of 20-30 patients where a New Patient Premium (NPP) was received to confirm that the patient was ‘new’ under the scheme.

LDC Conference 2025: Time to give reform some welly

GDPC Chair Shiv Pabary addresses LDC Conference on the future of the NHS contract.