Membership for employed dentists
If you're employed on national terms and conditions, it pays to have trade union support
Get trade union support for workplace disputes, offer advice regarding your contract of employment, parental rights, and support with sickness absence or pensions advice.
Hospitals
Members working under hospital terms and conditions can contact the BMA for employment relations support. Your terms and conditions of employment are linked to that of doctors’ so the BDA engages the BMA to advise you on your rights and entitlements.
2024 saw a busy year of ballots and industrial action for consultants and hospital dental trainees. Together we worked tirelessly with colleagues at the BMA to secure a deal.
Community dental services
Our network of trained local workplace reps, called accredited reps (ARs), may be able to help with your query and will refer appropriately any issue needing specialist support.
You can relax, knowing that membership includes expert one-to-one telephone advice from our Employment Relations team.
Learn about Case mix for commissioning/contract matters and wider epidemiological work.
We're on your side
We’ll fight your corner and lobby to change things for the better. We’ve already made some significant wins for the Community Dental Services and our members:
- Protected time to prepare for appraisals
- Campaigning to have penalty charges reviewed for vulnerable patients
- Achieving a 25% reduction of ARF fees
- Successfully campaigning for GDC fees to be paid in instalments.
Universities
We represent the interests and act on behalf of dentists working in academia, research, and teaching across the UK.
Armed Forces
We represent and support the interests of members working in the Armed Forces dental services, including Civilian Dental Practitioners (CDPs).
More membership benefits for salaried dentists
Essential |
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ADVICE |
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Our expert online advice on your rights and entitlements as an employee |
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Employment relations advice for employed members |
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Access to a 24/7 emotional support service and counselling when you need it |
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INDEMNITY |
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Access to indemnity for dentists exclusively employed in hospital/community/university or armed forces |
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LEARNING |
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| 270 hours of CPD including core CPD available on-demand |
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Keep up to date with dentistry’s #1 journal, the British Dental Journal and BDJ Portfolio |
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| Free weekly webinars live and on-demand |
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Earn, track and manage your CPD with our CPD hub |
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Generous discounts on clinical and business events and training |
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Access to Europe's largest dental library |
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REPRESENTATION |
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| The support of your trade union |
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Price per month |
£43.33* |
* Your membership could be even cheaper!
Membership is tax deductible and members that pay their fees annually get a further 5% discount. Some services may be subject to restrictions and/or additional terms of service. Please see our terms and conditions for details.
Ready to join?
Our goal is to provide the best possible support for all our members. To keep things fair, we're unable to give advice on issues that dentists knew about before joining. We're here to help with anything new that comes up after you become a member.
Testimonial
Member feedback
Meet our salaried members
I joined the BDA soon after qualifying and I'm so glad that I did. I work as a community dentist, which is both rewarding and challenging!
The BDA helped me through a very tough time in my employment a few years ago.
I felt really well supported because of the quality of advice available through my BDA membership, as well as the access it gave me to local and national peer networks.
I can honestly say that if it wasn't for the diligent and sustained efforts of my Accredited Representatives (ARs), I might not have remained in my role.
I know from first-hand experience how much value there is in having someone on your side, and by your side, when it really counts. Now I'm an AR, I'm able to give something back as well.
Our approach at the BDA is supportive and pragmatic. We don't have a magic wand, but if you come to us for guidance, we will help you to reach the best possible outcome for you – whatever that may look like.
I've been a BDA member since qualifying in 1992. During this time, I've accessed the BDA for journals, development of my knowledge through the website and courses, as well as for recruitment. They have also provided me and my team with invaluable resources and advice.
Recently I needed further support and advice relating to my current role, so I got in touch with the BDA representative for the North West. He has been approachable, knowledgeable, supportive and professional at all times, in what has been a particularly challenging situation for me.
Without his advice and support I would have felt very isolated as the leader and manager of a large dental team, and would not have envisaged a positive outcome either for myself as a dental professional and leader, let alone for my team.
I feel thanks is a small word for expressing how appreciative I am as a long-standing member of the BDA, for providing such valued support from your regional representatives.
More information
