Government backs down

Following a sustained campaign of petitions and lobbying the BDA recently informed the Department of Health of its intentions to pursue judicial review proceedings.

Now the Department of Health has now confirmed its intention to back down in a letter to the BDA.

Mick Armstrong, chair of the British Dental Association Principal Executive Committee, said:

"This is a victory for young dentists and for common sense.

"We all remember what it's like starting out. It's a time when you’re finding your feet, facing a steep learning curve and a mountain of student debt. It's not the time to add to that uncertainty with a blanket pay cut.

"The Department of Health should not be balancing the books off the back of young dentists. We were determined to fight their corner, and stand up for the next generation. And today that work has paid off. We will continue to oppose attacks on pay and conditions whenever they are threatened.