BDA welcomes climbdown on pay cut for foundation dentists

The British Dental Association (BDA) has expressed satisfaction that government proposals for a reduction in pay for foundation dentists have been shelved in the face of industry pressure.

Plans for a 2,000 pound pay cut for young dentists were devised by the Department of Health and met with an extremely negative reaction, with the BDA spearheading a sustained campaign of petitions and lobbying.

The government has now confirmed in a letter that it will be backing down on the proposals, following a recent notice that the BDA would be willing to pursue judicial review proceedings if necessary.

In the wake of this announcement, the industry body said the U-turn will create better conditions for young dentists to succeed, while suggesting the Department of Health's decision not to embroil the industry in a legal battle represented "good sense".

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA's principal executive committee, said: "We will continue to oppose attacks on pay and conditions whenever they are threatened."

The BDA continues to be involved in a bitter dispute with industry regulator the General Dental Council over the latter's plans to introduce a substantial increase to its annual retention fee.