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Pay in Scotland
Up to date information on dentists' pay in Scotland and what it means for you
LAST UPDATED: 28 August 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 employed dentists’ salaries and the pay element of NHS contracts.
We have set out how the DDRB’s recommendation might affect you in as much detail as is possible at this stage.
NHS employed dentists
The Scottish Government has confirmed a 4% uplift to basic pay across NHS medical and dental staff, as detailed in the pay circular. This uplift will be backdated to 1 April 2025.
The Resident Doctors and Dentists in Training pay uplift has not been announced.
NHS General Dental Practitioners
The Scottish Government has accepted the pay bodies (DDRB) recommendation of a 4% increase on the pay element for general dental practitioners, and orthodontic fees. 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.