What more is needed for NHS and private dental clinics

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The annual uplift in pay recommended by the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) is a critical update for dentists across the UK. As dental professionals continue to navigate the complexities of providing high-quality care while managing the financial realities of running practices, the DDRB’s recommendations play a significant role in determining their income and overall financial stability.

Following the recent announcement of a Labour government, the dental industry is set to face numerous changes over the coming years to combat today’s challenges of high interest rates, overheads, staffing costs and recruitment.

DDRB uplift- 29 July 2024

The Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration Board (DDRB) – the independent pay review body for doctors’ and dentists’ pay – recommended a pay rise of 6% for select healthcare professionals.

What is the DDRB uplift?

The DDRB is an independent body responsible for advising the government on the pay of doctors and dentists. Each year, the DDRB reviews evidence from various stakeholders, including the government, NHS employers, and professional bodies such as the British Dental Association (BDA). Based on this evidence, the DDRB recommends an uplift in pay to reflect changes in the cost of living, recruitment and retention needs, and the financial environment within which the NHS operates.

For dentists, this uplift is crucial as it directly affects their income. Whether they are salaried dentists working within the NHS or independent practitioners providing both NHS and private services, the DDRB’s recommendations can influence their financial planning, the viability of their practices, and their ability to invest in new technologies and training.

The impact of the DDRB uplift on NHS dentists

Over the past decade, dentists have faced growing pressures, including increased patient demand, rising operational costs, and the complexities of working under NHS contracts that some argue are outdated and insufficiently funded. To support the recommended uplift NHS contracts will receive an annual uplift to their contract value. The pay element is derived from the DDRB’s recommendation and therefore will be 6%. The expenses element is yet to be confirmed so it is not possible at this stage to determine the total contract uplift for those with NHS contracts.

For employed NHS roles the pay uplift will be applied to their salary. The DDRB’s recommendations are intended to ensure that NHS dentists receive a pay increase that reflects the broader economic conditions. However, in recent years many within the dental profession have expressed concerns that the uplift has not kept pace with inflation or the rising costs of running a dental practice. This has led to dissatisfaction and concerns about the sustainability of NHS dental services.

There is still much more to do. The DDRB may not be recommending sub-inflationary pay rises this year, but more will need to be done to ensure that its future recommendations don’t offer less than we are worth.

Professor Philip Banfield, BMA council chair

The pay uplift does not directly apply to associates. There is no requirement for dental practices to increase associate pay, however it is reasonable to expect that they will look at the headline 6% uplift and expect an increase to their own income. The question is, will the practice be able to afford to give such a pay rise.

The impact of the DDRB uplift on private practices

While the DDRB uplift directly affects NHS salaries, its impact on private practitioners is more indirect. Many private dentists still provide some level of NHS care, and the uplift can influence decisions about the proportion of NHS versus private work they undertake. If the uplift is perceived as inadequate, some dentists may choose to reduce their NHS commitments in favour of private work, where they can set their own fees and potentially achieve higher income levels.

This shift can have significant implications for access to dental care, particularly in areas where there is already a shortage of NHS dental services. Patients who rely on NHS dentistry may find it increasingly difficult to secure appointments, leading to longer waiting times and reduced service quality.

You can read more on Labour governments proposals for the healthcare industry in our latest edition of Repeat Prescription, Price Bailey’s healthcare bulletin.