NHS dental pay rise questioned by the British Dental Association

The Scottish government has approved a 3.75% pay increase for National Health Service general dental practitioners for the 2026/2027 financial year, following the recommendation of the independent Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration, Dental Tribune has reported.

The new payment arrangements come into effect on 1 December and will be backdated to 1 April. Retrospective payments covering April to November are scheduled for February next year.

However, according to the British Dental Association (BDA) the increase doesn’t take account of the wider financial pressures dental practices are facing.

The BDA stated that increase will apply to gross item-of-service fees for general and orthodontic treatment, as well as capitation payments.

The BDA has called for the increase to be applied to the whole remuneration package under Scotland’s Statement of Dental Remuneration.

The Scottish government has not extended the award to the full package.

The BDA also criticised the decision not to follow the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration’s recommendation to negotiate the expenses and cost-of-care component with the BDA’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee.