The intention to reduce the salary for those undertaking DFT has been announced as one of a number of areas in which the Department is intending to seek efficiency savings this year. The announcement also signals DH’s intention to explore amendments to maternity, paternity and sickness leave pay and to pursue further computerisation of dental practices. The BDA will be seeking full details of the proposals.
Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA’s principal executive committee, said:
“Dentistry is already facing acute financial pressures. We will be emphasising these and stressing the need for dentists to be properly supported in talks on any proposals for efficiency savings. For that dialogue to be constructive and meaningful it will require the Department to take on board our concerns and work with, not against, dentists.
“The stated proposal to reduce the salary paid to dental foundation trainees will sound alarm bells across the profession. Targeting those at the start of their careers, many of whom will have graduated with significant levels of debt, will appear to many as an attempt to prey on the most vulnerable members of the profession. We will oppose such an attack vigorously.”
The BDA has already made vociferous criticisms of the decision of the Department of Health to ignore the doctors’ and dentists’ review body’s recommendations for uplifts for independent contractor and employed dentists.