Pay increase for dentists

Once expenses of running their businesses are taken into account, this equals a 1.34 per cent increase to the dental contract.

Health Minister Lord Howe said:

"Our strong economy means we have been able to accept the recommendation for a one per cent increase to Dentists' pay, broadly in line with other healthcare workers. Once expenses of running their businesses are taken into account, this equals a 1.34 per cent increase to the dental contract.

"As the oral health of the nation improves we want to support dentists to continue to concentrate on prevention rather than cure.”

The British Dental Association (BDA) has criticised both the approach and conclusions of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB) in its recommendations for pay awards for General Dental Practitioners in England for 2015/16.

The DDRB has opted to leave the question of dental expenses for GDPs to negotiation. Rather than negotiating, however, the Department of Health, has simply applied Retail Price Index uplift to the review board’s formula, producing a 1.34 per cent uplift for GDPs in England.