NHS pay increase will not affect dentists or doctors

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A pay rise, which has been offered to NHS workers by the government, will not affect doctors or dentists. The 6.5% pay increase, which is due to come into play over the next three years, will be made available to nurses, paramedics and support staff including hospital porters.

In reaction to the news, the British Dental Association has welcomed the government lifting the NHS pay cap, which has been in place since 2010, but insisted that the latest announcement should be a precursor to more widespread increases. In real terms, some dentists have seen a decrease in wages of over 30 percent in the last decade.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the BDA, claimed that the end of the pay freeze was positive news, but urged ministers to apply the same logic to all health professionals working within the NHS. NHS dentistry is suffering, and more and more practices are struggling to recruit new dentists. Part of the problem is that private dentistry is an increasingly appealing option, as real-term salaries in the NHS continue to tumble.

A recent study revealed that 68 percent of NHS dental clinics in England are finding it difficult to fill vacancies, and pay is one of the main issues driving NHS dentists away. In addition, the BDA also mentioned unrealistic targets and the government’s failure to act to improve working conditions for NHS dental professionals.

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