Legally binding

Unlike a personal dental services agreement, which in most cases will not accommodate partnership, a general dental services (GDS) contract is specifically designed for use either with an individual provider or a partnership comprising two or more providers, or a dental corporation.

There are specific provisions throughout the contract that are referable to each of these three options and in particular the clauses dealing with termination. The GDS contract recognises that there are different circumstances which would apply depending on whether the contractor is a single person, more than one person or an artificial person in the form of a company.

In the case of a partnership, clause 231 deals specifically with how its composition can be changed without affecting the validity of the GDS contract. All that is required in the case of a new partner joining an existing partnership, or a retiring partner leaving a continuing one, is that the NHS is informed by written notice.