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Dentists' pay agreement
30/05/2008
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison today welcomed the agreement reached that will provide financial recognition to a number of dental practices that do not meet the full 'NHS Commitment' criteria but still treat significant numbers of NHS patients.
This comes as a result of the British Dental Association's Scottish Dental Practice Committee's (SDPC) decision to accept Scottish Government proposals on refinement to the NHS Commitment criteria.
The agreement brings a successful resolution to discussions which have taken place over a number years about payment to dental practices that carry out NHS work but don't meet the criteria for full NHS commitment.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"I am pleased that negotiations have been successfully concluded. I think it is important that we recognise the NHS work undertaken by dental practices that do not meet the full 'NHS Commitment' criteria.
"At present the general dental practice allowance (GDPA) provides practices that meet all the NHS commitment criteria with a payment of 12 per cent of gross earnings to support practice costs. Other practices that do not provide this level of NHS service only receive 6 per cent of gross earnings.
"Scottish Government negotiations with the BDA now mean that committee members have agreed proposals which will see practices that provide NHS treatment to some categories receive an additional 3 per cent of gross earnings added to their GDPA, providing they have a minimum average of 500 registered NHS patients per dentist.
"This is good news for practitioners that make a contribution to NHS work and could potentially impact on over 200 practices. I also hope the measure will go some way to encouraging more practitioners to undertake NHS work."
The deal will also see those same practices eligible for rent reimbursement on a sliding scale.