BDA reaches government agreement on seniority pay

The British Dental Association (BDA) has reached an agreement with the Department of Health to discuss new methods of replacing the seniority pay scheme for dentists.

Following talks with the industry body, the government has accepted the anger within the sector at the loss of a scheme to which many have been contributing throughout their careers, while pledging to find an acceptable resolution, reports Dentistry.co.uk.

The meeting was held between parliamentary undersecretary of state for health Earl Howe and the BDA's general dental practice committee chair John Milne and executive member Eddie Crouch, with the urgency of finding a solution emphasised.

Following this agreement, the BDA and government will work together to find a suitable replacement and to offer protection to dental staff who have already lost out.

Mr Milne said: "The department has committed itself to working with us to do exactly that and we look forward to beginning talks."

Members of the BDA did not go on strike alongside many in the public sector on November 30th 2011, but a day of action was nevertheless held to protest the proposed downgrading of pension schemes.