BDA and BMA representatives have expressed concern over the recently announced pay increase for dentists and doctors working within the armed forces.
On 13 July, the government announced a 5% pay increase for dental and medical officers in the armed forces, with a consolidated increase of £1,000 for all UK regular personnel.
The British Dental Association (BDA) has since responded to this announcement with the British Medical Association (BMA). BDA Armed Forces Committee chair, Mike Gall, and BMA Armed Forces Committee chair, Mark Weir, stated that the organisations were ‘dismayed’ at what they considered ‘a pay cut in real terms’.
Due to an extended period of inflation, salary increased by 5% will have less purchasing power than the original sum had in the previous year.
The representatives also felt recommendations had not been followed. They reported a ‘failure from the review body to reflect the detailed recommendations made by the BMA and the BDA’.
Dentistry’s top stories
- Profession slams 6% pay uplift for dentists
- MPs demand ‘fundamental reform’ of NHS dentistry in new report
- Meta’s Threads: the dentist’s guide to leveraging the latest social media platform
- Dental profession slams Rishi Sunak after he forgets name for dental therapists
- New government plans to boost number of dentists in England.
‘Alarming gap’ between armed forces and general healthcare
Another issue raised was a disparity between the treatment of armed forces healthcare professionals and their civilian contemporaries. This was described as an ‘alarming gap’.
The changes announced this month will also include a minimum 6% pay increase for most NHS dentists and doctors. Dentists and doctors working within the Ministry of Defence will therefore receive a 1% lower pay raise.
Gall and Weir expressed concern that this would leave professionals ‘questioning whether they wish to continue serving, with all its sacrifices, when there are so many opportunities to work outside of the Ministry of Defence’.
The BDA has previously warned that the 6% increase recommended by the Review Body on Doctors’ and Dentists’ Remuneration is also below the current level of inflation.
The association cited official data showing that real incomes for typical dentists have fallen by up to 40%.
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
