1. Introduction
The offer of incentive (‘golden hello’) payments has been used in different parts of the NHS to aid recruitment in areas of the country that have traditionally been hard to recruit to.
The aim of the Dental Recruitment Incentive Scheme (DRIS) is to help practices that are struggling to attract people through the usual recruitment routes by supporting them to offer a financial incentive. The scheme is designed to encourage relocation to areas with workforce challenges, to attract new workforce to the NHS, and to retain those who might have otherwise moved into private practice.
This document provides an overview of the scheme for dental practices and dentists wishing to apply.
2. Overview
2.1 ‘Golden hello’ offer
A ‘golden hello’ bonus incentive payment of £20,000 will be offered per dentist for up to 240 dentists.
No funding is provided toward recruitment costs or earnings of the Associate. The incentive payment is an additional bonus payment, separate to the Associate’s earnings.
2.2 Requirements of the scheme
Dentists recruited through the scheme are required to commit to remain working in the same area for a minimum of 3 years. Payment of the incentive will therefore be allocated in phases across 3 years, as outlined in the table below (Table 1).
Table 1: Timing of incentive payments
| % Payment | Payment based on 1 WTE/FTE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (2024/25) | 50% | £10,000.00 | Paid on commencement into post and following receipt of a signed copy of the agreement |
| Year 2 (2025/26) | 25% | £5,000.00 | Payment made at beginning of second year in post. |
| Year 3 (2025/26) | 25% | £5,000.00 | Payment made at beginning of third year in post. |
As with other pay for dental services, incentive payments are likely to be subject to tax. Dentists in receipt of the bonus payment are responsible for declaring the amount to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), if applicable. Should you have queries in respect of the taxable nature of these payments, please seek the appropriate advice with your tax representatives or HMRC.
Dentists in receipt of the bonus payment are also expected to deliver a minimum amount of NHS activity per year as outlined in the table below (Table 2).
The number of UDAs that a full-time dentist is expected to deliver is determined by the number of years that the dentist has held full registration with the General Dental Council or equivalent experience. Dentists recruited from overseas will enter the scheme at Level 1 and the minimum number of UDAs that they will be expected deliver will need to be agreed between the employing dental practice, the commissioner and the recruited dentist, with consideration given to previous experience and learning, and any support needs outlined in their educational/clinical support plan (ECSP).
Table 2: Minimum amount of annual NHS activity
Entry level | Category | Full-time expected annual minimum UDA delivery (or equivalent)* |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Overseas dentists (on performers list) | By negotiation Dependent on assessment, recognising experience and duration or any learning needs outlined in their educational/clinical support plan (ECSP). Suggested parameters would be less than 5,000 UDAs (or equivalent) and minimum of 3,200 UDAs (or equivalent) in year 1. |
| Level 2 | Dentist with less than 3 years full GDC registration or equivalent experience | 5,000 UDAs (or equivalent) |
| Level 3 | Dentist with 3 or more years of full GDC registration or equivalent experience | 6,000 UDAs (or equivalent) |
*Eligible dentists recruited to work on a part-time basis will be entitled to receive a pro rata incentive payment based on the % of activity they will deliver.
Once overseas dentists working under level 1 have completed their assessment period, their UDA delivery should be reviewed in the line with the expected minimum NHS activity for the scheme outlined in Table 2 (moving into levels 2/3).
Where a recruited dentist is unable to deliver a level of activity in line with the expected number of UDAs, the practice and dentist should discuss this with their integrated care board (ICB) at the earliest opportunity.
Eligible dentists recruited to work on a part-time basis will be entitled to receive a pro rata payment based on the activity they will deliver. This is calculated as a percentage of the total number of UDAs expected for a full-time dentist on the same level of the scheme. Examples of how this is calculated are shown in Annex A.
Expected annual minimum UDAs applicable under this scheme will be temporarily reduced as a result of absences due to maternity and paternity leave and long-term sickness with no impact on the individual’s incentive payments. Participating practices are required to notify their ICB of any long-term absences.
3. Information for dental practices
3.1 How to apply
Dental practices in specific areas (determined locally) will be invited by their ICBs to express interest in participating in the scheme. Your ICB will inform you of the process and timescales for applications.
Practices can submit more than one expression of interest if they have multiple vacant posts. Each post will be considered independently.
Practices will be notified of the outcome of their application via their ICB.
Practices that have had their applications approved will be able to proceed with recruitment and include the incentive payment in the advert.
No funding is provided toward recruitment costs or earnings of the Associate. These costs remain the responsibility of the recruiting practice.
There is no correlation between the incentive payment and the salary or employment payments agreed between the practice and the Associate. The incentive payment is an additional bonus payment, separate to the Associate’s earnings.
Approval is for a 6-month period from the point the practice is told their application has been successful. If a practice has not been able to recruit during that 6-month period, a discussion between the practice and the ICB should be held to determine ongoing participation in the scheme.
3.2 Practice eligibility
A dental practice is eligible to apply to participate in the scheme if:
- they meet the national criteria for the scheme
- they can demonstrate that they have actively undertaken recruitment for a dentist (offering competitive terms of employment and payment) without success
- they can demonstrate the impact of their workforce challenges (for example, the impact on patient access, impact on delivery of the NHS contract, impact on the wider team)
- the post is focused on delivery of NHS care, delivering the expected minimum UDAs per year for a full-time dentist or pro rota UDA requirement for dentists working on a part time basis (see Table 2). Dentists participating in this scheme are required to spend the majority of their total working hours at the practice in this post and delivering NHS care
- they are ready to advertise the post on approval of the application
- they are willing to provide information on progress of recruitment to their local ICB and feedback on their experience of participating in the scheme
Once the practice have completed recruitment and have identified a recruit, the practice is required to notify the ICB, prior to commencement in post, providing detail about the recruit and how they meet the eligibility for the scheme (Section 4.1). After the ICB confirms that they are satisfied that the recruit meets the eligibility criteria, the practice can proceed and agree a start date.
Where the dentist being recruited is already working in the same area as the recruiting practice, the dentist and practice must be able to demonstrate how recruitment to the post will increase NHS activity in the area.
Practices recruiting overseas dentists will also be required to;
- have an appropriately trained and experienced supervisor
- show that they have been assessed for suitability to support an overseas dentist
Practices participating in the scheme should be able to demonstrate an increase in the total amount of NHS activity delivered by the practice following recruitment to the post.
3.3 Governance
An agreement must be in place between the recipient (the dentist), the recruiting practice, and the ICB outlining the terms of the payment. It is important that this document is reviewed by the recipient (the dentist) and the recruiting practice to ensure that the terms of the payment are understood.
Practices will need to have their own separate associate agreement (contract) with the recruited dentist. Your ICB may want to seek a copy of this.
3.4 Process for payment
Year 1 payments will be made after the ICB receives a signed copy of the agreement and after the recruited dentist starts in post. Payment will be made to the practice through the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) as an additional payment in the practice’s monthly payment schedule. The practice is required to pass bonus payments on in full to the recruited dentist at the earliest opportunity and no later than within 2 months of receipt.
The bonus will be paid as 3 payments across the duration of the scheme (see table 1).
3.5 Reporting requirements
Practices participating in the scheme are required to provide information to their ICB on the progress of their recruitment.
Practices may also be asked to participate in case studies. Practices can ask for their name not to be included in any published case study.
4. Information for dentists
4.1 Eligibility for payment
A dentist is eligible to receive the bonus payment if they:
- are fully registered with the General Dental Council (GDC)
- are included on the English NHS Performers List
- are not currently participating in the Dental Foundation Training (DFT) programme. Dentists currently participating in DFT will be eligible to apply for roles included in the incentive scheme that start after completion of their training
- are eligible to provide NHS services, as outlined in The National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts/ Personal Dental Services Agreements Regulations 2005 -Part 4 Persons Who Perform Services)
- have been recruited into a vacant post within a dental practice that has been approved by their ICB and NHS England region to take part in the scheme
- are not currently participating in another similar local or national incentive scheme
- commit to remain in the same geographical area for a minimum of 3 years
- commit to deliver the expected minimum annual NHS activity requirement for the scheme (see Table 2). Dentists participating in this scheme are required to spend the majority of their total working hours at the practice in this post and delivering NHS care
- have signed the agreement with the recruiting practice and the ICB
4.2 Termination
Should the recruited dentist choose to leave the scheme before completing the minimum three years required, they will be required to repay a proportion of their incentive payment to the ICB on a pro-rata basis. Annex B outlines the calculations for repayment.
We recognise that dentists recruited through the scheme may want or need to move from the practice that entitled them to receive the incentive payment. Any movement between practices during the 3-year period would need to be discussed and agreed with the relevant ICB and NHS England.
If, within the 3-year period, a dentist recruited through the scheme reduces their NHS commitment in the area to which they have been recruited, an adjustment of their total incentive payment may be required, and which could also result in the need to repay a portion of their payment.
5. Questions
Contact your ICB if you have questions about the Dental Recruitment Incentive Scheme.
Annex A
Table 3: Calculations for dentists working part time
| % activity delivery | Level 3 annual minimum UDA delivery | Level 2 annual minimum UDA delivery | Level 1 * annual minimum UDA delivery | Total incentive payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | 6,000 | 5,000 | 3,200 | £20,000 |
|
90% |
5,400 |
4,500 |
2,880 |
£18,000 |
|
80% |
4,800 |
4,000 |
2,560 |
£16,000 |
|
70% |
4,200 |
3,500 |
2,240 |
£14,000 |
|
60% |
3,600 |
3,000 |
1,920 |
£12,000 |
|
50% |
3,000 |
2,500 |
1,600 |
£10,000 |
|
40% |
2,400 |
2,000 |
1,280 |
£8,000 |
|
30% |
1,800 |
1,500 |
960 |
£6,000 |
|
20% |
1,200 |
1,000 |
640 |
£4,000 |
|
10% |
600 |
500 |
320 |
£2,000 |
For those working part time, the total incentive payment is paid across 3 years, as it is for those working full time (50% of payment in year 1, 25% in year 2 and 25% in year 3).
Annex B
Calculations for repayment on early termination
| Period | Point they exit scheme | % retained of total incentive payment | % repayment of total incentive payment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Within year 1 |
100% of year 1 payment |
Months 1-12 |
0% |
100% |
|
Within year 2 |
Pro-rota repayment based on when they left |
Month 13 |
36% |
64% |
|
Month 14 |
39% |
61% | ||
|
Month 15 |
42% |
58% | ||
|
Month 16 |
44% |
56% | ||
|
Month 17 |
47% |
53% | ||
|
Month 18 |
50% |
50% | ||
|
Month 19 |
53% |
47% | ||
|
Month 20 |
56% |
44% | ||
|
Month 21 |
58% |
42% | ||
|
Month 22 |
61% |
39% | ||
|
Month 23 |
64% |
36% | ||
|
Month 24 |
67% |
33% | ||
|
Within year 3 |
Pro-rota repayment based on when they left |
Month 25 |
69% |
31% |
|
Month 26 |
72% |
28% | ||
|
Month 27 |
75% |
25% | ||
|
Month 28 |
78% |
22% | ||
|
Month 29 |
81% |
19% | ||
|
Month 30 |
83% |
17% | ||
|
Month 31 |
86% |
14% | ||
|
Month 32 |
89% |
11% | ||
|
Month 33 |
92% |
8% | ||
|
Month 34 |
94% |
6% | ||
|
Month 35 |
97% |
3% | ||
|
Month 36 |
100% |
0 |
The amount to be repaid is the amount already paid to the dentist at the point they leave minus the “% retained of total incentive payment”.
Examples based on a full-time dentist receiving a £20,000 incentive offer:
Exit scheme at month 7
- % retained: 0% (£0)
- % repayment: 100% (£20,000)
- Amount paid to date: £10,000
- Repayment amount based on payments received: £10,000 (£10,000 payment minus £0 retained amount)
Exit scheme at month 14
- % retained: 39% (£7,800.00)
- % repayment: 61% (£12,200.00)
- Amount paid to date: £15,000 (assuming 2nd payment has been received)
- Repayment amount based on payments received: £7,200 (£15,000 payment minus £7,800 retained amount)
Exit scheme at month 30
- % retained: 83% (£16,600)
- % repayment: 17% (£3,400)
- Amount paid to date: £20,000 (assuming 3rd payment has been received)
- Repayment amount based on payments received: £3,400 (£20,000 payment minus £16,600 retained amount)
Publication reference: PRN01176_i