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Dental Contract Reform 2026 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) NHS Update • Reference for dental professionals Professional FAQ NHS Dental Contract Reform 2026 – Comprehensive FAQ A detailed reference guide for associate dentists, practice owners, and NHS contract holders on the reforms due to take effect from 1 April 2026. Updated January 2026 • For dental professionals Purpose of this FAQ This page provides structured clarification on the proposed NHS dental contract reforms, including remuneration pathways, Care Packages, unscheduled care delivery, prevention incentives, governance funding, and associate attribution. Frequently Asked Questions Contract Framework 1. When do the NHS dental contract reforms take effect? The revised NHS dental contract framework is scheduled to commence from 1 April 2026. 2. Are UDAs being abolished or replaced? No. UDAs remain the core contractual currency. Several interventions will instead be remunerated via nationally set tariffs, which are converted into UDA equivalents for contract reconciliation. 3. Why is the NHS dental contract being reformed? The reforms aim to improve sustainability, reflect clinical complexity more accurately, strengthen prevention, improve patient access, and address historic under-remuneration in areas such as periodontal care and dentures. 4. Will contracts still be managed through annual contract values? Yes. Contracts remain annualised, monitored through delivery expectations, with updated mechanisms for activity attribution and remuneration. Urgent and Unscheduled Care 5. What is the new urgent/unscheduled care payment? Urgent and unscheduled care is expected to be remunerated at an indicative total of £75 per patient, replacing the historic 1.2 UDA model. 6. What is meant by “unscheduled care” under the reforms? Unscheduled care expands the access model beyond traditional urgent care definitions, requiring practices to provide capacity for patients needing timely care outside routine planned pathways. 7. Is there a mandated minimum requirement for unscheduled care delivery? Yes. A mandated minimum is proposed at approximately 8.2% of contract value, equating to around 11 courses of treatment per £10,000 of contract value. 8. How are DNAs or unused urgent slots addressed in the payment structure? The payment model includes an upfront allocation intended to support flexible capacity, including circumstances where slots remain unfilled or result in non-attendance. Complex Care Pathways (Care Packages) 9. What are Care Packages or complex care pathways? Care Packages are structured clinical pathways for higher-needs patients, supported by fixed national tariffs designed to reflect complexity, time intensity, and appropriate care planning. 10. How are Care Package tariffs converted into UDAs? The national tariff value is divided by the practice’s contract UDA value to determine the UDA equivalent for reconciliation. 11. Do Care Packages change how associates are paid? Care Package values flow through the contract as UDA equivalents. Associate remuneration should follow the agreed associate arrangement, provided attribution is clearly defined in the associate agreement. 12. How should practices manage eligibility and documentation for pathways? Practices should implement clear internal protocols, ensure consistent documentation of eligibility criteria, baseline findings, care plans, review milestones, and completion requirements. Periodontal Care 13. What changes are proposed for periodontal treatment? Enhanced periodontal pathways are being introduced to better reflect workload and improve sustainability of periodontal care delivery within NHS dentistry. 14. Why is periodontal reform significant for associates? Periodontal care is time-intensive and historically under-remunerated. Updated pathways may improve clinical viability and recognition of complexity. Dentures, Repairs, and Laboratory Activity 15. What additional UDAs apply to denture modifications or relines? Denture modification or reline activity delivered alongside qualifying care is eligible for an additional 2 UDAs. 16. How are denture repairs remunerated under the reforms? Denture repairs are expected to attract 2 UDAs. 17. Can denture modifications be claimed alongside complex care pathways? Where applicable, denture modifications may be claimable alongside complex care pathways to support sequencing of care. Prevention and Skill Mix 18. What is the new 0.5 UDA fluoride varnish course of treatment? A standalone preventive course of treatment at 0.5 UDAs enables fluoride varnish delivery without requiring a full dental examination. 19. Can fluoride varnish be delivered by dental nurses? Yes, provided the dental nurse is suitably trained and competent, with appropriate governance, protocols, and supervision. 20. What is changing for fissure sealants? Fissure sealants for primary prevention will be claimable under Band 2 rather than Band 1. Quality Improvement, Audit, and Appraisal 21. What is the optional Quality Improvement (QI) domain? Practices may opt into funded quality improvement activity focused on audit and peer review, funded at an indicative average of ~£3,400 per practice per year. 22. Are annual appraisals funded under the reforms? Yes. Annual appraisal activity is expected to be funded at approximately £213 per eligible clinician, claimable once per year and counting toward UDA requirements. Workforce and NHS Benefits 23. What changes apply to NHS maternity and parental benefit eligibility? All NHS service time, including Dental Core Training undertaken in hospital settings, will contribute toward qualifying service thresholds. Implementation and Readiness 24. Are all payment values and guidance final? Final values and supporting clinical guidance are expected through the national implementation process ahead of April 2026. 25. What should practices prioritise before implementation? Key priorities include diary redesign for mandated unscheduled care, pathway governance protocols, staff training for prevention, and updating associate agreements to address attribution of tariff-based activity.