Dr Robert Kinloch, Chair of the Scottish Dental Practice Committee, has branded the announcement of a 0.9 per cent increase to item of service fees for independent contractor dentists in Scotland as a major disappointment that fails to recognise the significant challenges dentists are trying to overcome.
The Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body recommended a 1.44 per cent increase to the NHS dental fee scale, a recommendation intended to produce no uplift to dentists’ pay. The Scottish Government has decided to abate the DDRB’s recommendation on the fee scale increase, by assuming that dentists will be able to make a one per cent efficiency saving on their operating costs. This decision will have the effect of reducing the uplift to 0.9 per cent.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Kinloch, said:
“Dentists in Scotland appreciate the difficult financial climate the nation faces, but this is a disappointing announcement that does nothing to solve the problems we face. General dental services here have been underfunded for some time. Sharply rising expenses, including those resulting from the introduction of new requirements for decontamination in practices, are increasing the strain.
“Dental practices are run as private businesses and already function extremely efficiently. The idea that one per cent efficiency savings can be found is simply unrealistic. This is a pay cut. If that’s what the Scottish Government intended, it should have said so.”
The BDA has requested an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government to discuss the modification of the fee scale resulting from the announcement.
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Notes to editors
The British Dental Association (BDA) is the professional association for dentists in the UK. It represents 23,000 dentists working in general practice, in community and hospital settings, in academia and research, and in the armed forces. It also includes dental students.
For further information, please contact the BDA’s media team on 0207 563 4145/46 or visit www.bda.org.
