
Service cost payments to practices hosting foundation dentists are set to increase for the first time in a decade.
Currently, practices receive £64,164 per year for all of the associated practice costs of providing dental foundation training (DFT). This amount is set to rise to £65,244, in line with the expenses increase applied to contracts.
The value of these payments has remained unchanged since 2014.
Had the service cost payments kept pace with inflation, they would now stand at £100,876, according to the British Dental Association (BDA).
These payments, made directly to the dental practice, are intended to cover all expenses involved with providing DFT. This includes the treatment delivered by foundation dentists as well as all associated practice costs, such as materials.
The BDA states it had ‘persistently’ urged for these payments to be uplifted, noting the impact of the decade-long freeze on the recruitment and retention of training practices.
First step
Following this news, the association has stated that it will continue to call for action to address the real-terms erosion in the value of payments over the past year. This includes a significant increase in payments and ensuring that future increases are applied annually
Shawn Charlwood is chair of the BDA’s general dental practice committee. He said: ‘Dental foundation training practices shape tomorrow’s NHS dentists.
‘The freeze in support costs has been an act of self-harm.
‘If we’re ever going to restore the pipeline of talent into this service, the increase we’ve secured must be a first step.’
This comes as the General Dental Council (GDC) published new guidance for education providers looking to establish new dental schools in the UK.
The move will assist education providers in applying for Dental Authority Status (DAS). This is a prerequisite for offering dental degree programmes that lead to a registrable degree in UK dentistry.
Stefan Czerniawski, GDC executive director of strategy, said: ‘With the current focus on addressing dental workforce challenges across the UK, we’re seeing increased interest from education providers wishing to establish new dental schools.’
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