In its annual report for 2025, the Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB) recommended a 4% uplift for Community Dental Service (CDS) and Public Dental Service (PDS) dentists across the UK. The recommendation has been accepted by most UK governments and is being implemented.
Significantly, the DDRB repeated its concerns from previous years about inadequate data from health departments, particularly in England. They noted high workloads across the UK, poor morale and a lack of career progression impacting on CDS/PDS dentists. They drew attention to the vulnerable nature of the patient base for CDS dentists which made this an area requiring urgent attention.
The DDRB recommended that each government undertake a review of pay and career progression for CDS/PDS dentists, given the increasing difficulties in recruiting.
In England, we have asked employers to consider career progression through the current banding system with Band A starting salaries being a significant challenge. At present, CDS/PDS pay progression is linked to annual appraisals, with performance assessed against job plans and band-specific competencies.
We will seek to work with each government in the four nations to assess if there is scope to deliver improvements to pay and progression arrangements through negotiation.
If agreed, we hope this could lead to easier recruitment and reward, together with career development opportunities for the service. CDS/PDS dentists will have opportunities to actively shape our approach to any changes to the terms and conditions of service, with the representative committees leading these negotiations.
