News story

Dental contracts uplift outlined

The Department of Health has made a determination for a 0.5% increase in expenses incurred under dental contracts for 2012/13.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This is largely to fund pay increases for practice staff earning less than £21,000 a year, in line with the Government’s public sector pay policy.

As part of a package of changes, dentists will be expected to work closely with local commissioners of care to prepare for moves to a national contract based on capitation, quality and registration; this includes a further move to fully computerised practice systems and a nationally consistent approach to contract management.

Further information can be found in a letter from Chief Dental Officer Barry Cockroft to the Chair of the General Dental Practice Committee of the British Dental Association.

Published 3 April 2012