BDA slams plans to cut pay for foundation dentists

The British Dental Association (BDA) has stated its opposition to new government plans that will cut the amount paid to foundation dentists.

A Department of Health consultation has proposed a reduction in foundation dentists' pay from 30,433 pounds to 28,076 pounds, equivalent to an eight percent salary reduction. In theory, this brings their pay in line with the basic salary of second-year foundation doctors.

However, the BDA has rejected this logic, noting that doctors can supplement their salary through allowances for out-of-hours working and banding increments, whereas foundation dentists cannot.

Moreover, a substantial pay cut on young dentists has been described as unfair given they have usually just left university saddled with a significant student debt. An online BDA petition opposing the pay cut has attracted more than 6,600 signatures.

BDA students committee chair Dr Paul Blaylock said: "Attacking the pay of the most junior and vulnerable members of the profession will do nothing to inspire the next generation of dentists, who are already saddled with high levels of debt."

This comes after the organisation also recently called for dentists to provide the government with feedback on the progress of contract reforms before the end of its listening period on July 31st.