The NHS Information Centre published new figures that reveal a steady fall in dentists' average taxable income over the last few years. Reports from the Dental Earnings and Expenses in England and Wales show that the average taxable income for self-employed primary care dentists in England was reduced from £89,600 in 2008/09 to £84,900 in 2009/2010, a pay cut of 5.2%.

This is a substantial cutback, reflecting an increase of 3.1% in practice expenses in 2009/2010 after an increase of 7.6% in expenses in 2008/2009.

With expenses continuing to accelerate during 2010/11, family dental practices feel the noose tightening. The increase in expenses is due to various factors, some of which are increasing prices of precious metals commonly used in dentistry, the rising cost of materials and equipment because of the exchange rate from Pound Sterling against the Euro and US Dollar as well as staff cost and burden of regulations and red tape.

The BDA is currently preparing a report providing evidence on the running costs of dental surgeries and the resources required to maintain quality dental service to the Dentists' Pay Review Body and the Department of Health for the year 2010/2011, an annual process.

Dr John Milne, Chair of the BDA's General Dental Practice Committee declared:

"This report shows that, whilst the Government imposed a pay freeze, dentists are in fact suffering a pay cut. It proves what we have been telling the Department of Health for some time. Dentists across England are working really hard to deliver high quality care for their patients. They are contending with a growing mountain of pointless bureaucracy and escalating costs on top of the effects of the efficiency savings imposed upon them."

Written by Petra Rattue