Medical and dental pay and conditions circular 2026

On 11 May 2026, we published pay circular 1/2026, setting out the pay arrangements for medical and dental doctors and dentists on national terms and conditions in England, effective from 1 April 2026. 

This applies the award of a 3.5 per cent increase to pay for resident doctors and dentists, specialty, specialist and associate specialist (SAS) doctors and dentists, consultants, and salaried GPs. Salaried dentists working in community dental services receive a 3.75 per cent increase to pay. The uplift and arrears are scheduled for payment in June salaries.

The 3.75 per cent increase will also be applied to dental educators, but for those paid via ESR, this will require new pay codes to be created and tested. Please see the circular for further details. 

You can access the circular via the medical and dental pay circular web page.