Salaried primary care dentists in England have voted to accept a proposed new contract negotiated by the British Dental Association (BDA) on their behalf.
The contract enjoyed strong support in the ballot and the result was endorsed by the BDA and NHS Employers. The Department of Health has been informed so that the new contract can be implemented.
The new contract will cover all dentists working in salaried primary dental care who are on national terms and conditions. Key changes as a result of the contract will be the introduction of a single pay spine to replace the existing four-grade structure, a 37.5 hour working week, and the introduction of mandatory annual appraisals and job planning that will support a new competency framework.
Janet Clarke, chair of the BDA’s Central Committee for Community and Public Health Dentistry (CCCPHD), said: ‘We have worked hard for a fair and progressive contract and we are pleased it has won the support of salaried primary care dentists. The changes that it will introduce should benefit both salaried dentists and the patients they treat.’
A series of three road shows will be held by the NHS Primary Care Contracting team in January 2008 to explain the impact of the new contract more fully to primary care trust managers and dental clinical directors.
Further details of the contract are available to BDA members at: www.bda.org.
