Dentists and junior doctors in Scotland demand fair pay, with potential for a coordinated 72-hour walkout.
Dentists in Scotland working under the same contract as junior doctors will participate in an upcoming three-day strike over pay, the British Dental Association (BDA) has confirmed. The decision follows a ballot in which 91% of participating dentists supported industrial action, with a turnout of 79%.
The strike aligns with junior doctors’ demands for a 23.5% pay increase above inflation. The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland also reported a strong mandate for action, with 97% of junior doctors voting to strike after rejecting a previous offer of a 4.5% pay rise.
Eddie Crouch, chair of the BDA, expressed solidarity with junior doctors, stating: “Our members are ready to do whatever it takes to achieve fair pay. Dentists, like their medical colleagues, are not worth a penny less than they were ten years ago.” He added that while a negotiated settlement is preferred, strike action will proceed if the Scottish Government does not present a serious offer.
Health Secretary Michael Matheson voiced disappointment over the strike decision, calling it “in no one’s interest.” He assured that NHS boards in Scotland are preparing contingency plans and noted ongoing negotiations to agree on a pay uplift. However, he described the demands from junior doctors as “simply unaffordable.”
Union leaders warned that strike dates would be announced if a credible pay offer is not presented. The industrial action mirrors strikes by junior doctors in England, who walked out for three days in March and four days in June.
The BDA highlighted broader challenges in NHS dentistry, reporting that 83% of surveyed dentists anticipated reducing their commitment to the NHS within the next year. Additionally, only 20% of dental practices have returned to pre-Covid capacity, contributing to what the BDA describes as an “exodus” of dentists from NHS work.
Despite these concerns, Scotland’s Public Health Minister Jenni Minto denied claims of a crisis in NHS dentistry, acknowledging industry challenges but emphasising ongoing efforts to address them.
