Dentists | Pay in Northern Ireland

LAST UPDATED: 10 June 2025

How does the DDRBs recent recommendation on pay affect me?

On 22 May 2025, the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) published its 53rd report recommending an uplift of 4% to the pay element of NHS contracts and to employed dentists’ salaries, and an additional consolidated uplift of £750 to pay points for resident dentists.

The Government has now accepted the DDRB recommendation. Wishing to avoid a repeat of last year’s delay, the Minister has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a Ministerial direction despite the £600m deficit in the health budget.

The Health Minister has signed off on DDRB recommendations by issuing a Ministerial Direction while the funding is still to be found to make payment.

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.

Northern Ireland: Demanding clarity on backpay

We are insisting on urgent clarity on pay for GDPs in Northern Ireland, following a Department of Health announcement that backdated pay will not be implemented until at least May 2025.

Pensions for Armed Forces Reservists

Reservists in the Forces between 2000-2015 may be entitled to backdated membership to the non-contributory Armed Forces pension schemes.

Still awaiting uplift confirmation on NHS GDP uplifts

Governments across the UK are yet to confirm the figure for the uplift to apply to NHS general dental practice fees and contracts.

Northern Ireland consultants vote to accept pay offer

The BMA Northern Ireland Consultants Committee has formally accepted the Department of Health’s pay offer for consultant doctors and dentists.

Northern Ireland: We seek assurances from the Department of Health on back pay

We are pressing the Department of Health (DoH) to provide assurance to practitioners that the full 6.47% backpay for 2023-24 has now been paid correctly.

Northern Ireland: Health Minister considering response to pay review decision

In response to the UK Government's recent announcement to fully accept the recommendations of the pay review bodies, including the 52nd DDRB Report, we look to the NI Executive to move quickly to apply an above-inflation uplift.

Northern Ireland: Dental payments issues raised with BSO

Following several areas of concern regarding dental payments, we have written to Karen Bailey, Chief Executive of the Business Services Organisation (BSO).

Tell us about the pressures you face in our short GDP survey

We want to understand your views on NHS pay, dentists leaving the field, and patient access to vital services. Make sure your voice gets heard at the most pivotal moment for the profession in decades.

Northern Ireland: We urge Health Minister to include dentists in imminent negotiations on pay

Now Stormont is back, we have written to Health Minister Robin Swann outlining the mounting pay issues impacting dentistry.

DoH urged to re-invest underspend into stabilising GDS

Ciara Gallagher, Chair of the Northern Ireland Dental Practice Committee has written to the Director of Primary Care, Gearóid Cassidy regarding proposals for the General Dental Service (GDS).

Health Service dentistry has run out of road

An update on our meeting with the Department of Health (DoH) in Northern Ireland to discuss the worsening outlook for Health Service dentistry, and a range of workforce issues heavily impacting the profession.