Employment guide for salaried dental staff

Access the terms and conditions of service and model contracts for salaried dental staff. The TCS have applied since 2008 and include a structure for pay, career development and job planning. There are also details and guidance for appraisals.
The terms and conditions of service for salaried primary care dental services are negotiated between NHS Employers and the British Dental Association. We are seeking additional employer representatives for this team.
If you would like to get involved, please email doctorsanddentists@nhsemployers.org
The current terms and conditions have applied since 1 April 2008 to dentists in the NHS in England. The contract includes a structure for pay and career development which includes the following key elements:
- A single pay spine with three competency pay bands covering the following groups: dentists, senior dentists, specialist dentists and managerial dentists.
- Each pay band is split into six pay points and the dentist will need to demonstrate the competencies for the post to move through the band.
- The pay structure is supported by mandatory annual appraisals and job planning to support salaried dentists' career development.
Contractual documents
- Salaried dental terms and conditions of service version 2 published August 2019.
- Model contract for salaried dentists version 3 published October 2020.
- Salaried dental terms and conditions of service record of amendments.
- Salaried dental model contract record of amendment.
Salaried dental FAQs
Our frequently asked questions document for salaried dentists includes information on the appeals process, indicative training allowance, job planning and appraisal, roles and competences, service complexity, terms and conditions and assimilation.
Appraisals for salaried dentists including information for COVID-19
Guidance on appraisal was agreed in 2007 as part of the move to the new contract.
Use our guidance documents on appraisals and download our template appraisal form for salaried dentists.
Appraisal during COVID-19
The following message is from the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) (dental) which comprises NHS Employers and the British Dental Association (BDA). We work with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), Health Education England (HEE) and other national bodies to manage and maintain the national contract for salaried primary care dentists’ and support dental trainees, staff and their employers on workforce matters.
Thank you
First and foremost, the JNC(D) acknowledges the contribution of dentists to the extraordinary NHS response to the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Dental trainees and staff have been redeployed in a variety of roles to support the COVID response, and have worked hard to continue to provide services to those who need them most under extremely difficult circumstances.