BDA “disappointed” over pay award

The British Dental Association (BDA) has stated that it is disappointed by the new pay award for NHS dentists.

High street dentists in England are to receive a 3.4 per cent increase in fees which relates to around a 2.2 per cent increase after expenses but before tax.

The BDA stated that it is pleased the government has accepted the recommendations made by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body as it means that many of the profession’s arguments have “hit home”.

However, Susie Sanderson, chair of the BDA’s executive board, remarked that dentists are likely to feel disappointed by the level of increase which will not be enough to tackle problems such as a rise in expenses.

She said that an ideological battle had been won “with the pay review body accepting our arguments about the many problems facing dentists and patients”.

“Our evidence about the escalating expense of running a practice also appears to have been taken on board,” Ms Sanderson added.

Earlier this month, the chair issued a statement to coincide with the NHS dental contract’s second year, warning that both professionals and patients are criticising the arrangement.