21 Scots dentists paid more than £300,000 to treat NHS patients

Published on Friday 22 October 2010 15:44

TWENTY-ONE dentists in Scotland received more than £300,000 for treating NHS patients last year, figures show.

The average gross NHS income for dentists working in Scotland was just under 90,000 in 2009-10, but 21 received over 300,000, while a further 20 were paid between 250,000 and 300,000.

Opposition politicians said the figures raised questions about the levels of spending on dentistry within the NHS.

Dental leaders pointed out that the figures represented NHS income before tax, and also included expenses for equipment, materials and other costs involved in running a practice, such as staff.

But the figures do not include any private income, which means some dentists could be earning even higher sums.

Next week, NHS officials will, for the first time, publish figures on dental earnings based on tax returns, taking account of both NHS and private income.

The current figures, produced by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, represent NHS earnings for 2009-10 for 2,478 non-salaried dental practitioners.

The majority - 1,421 - received less than 100,000 from the NHS, while 916 were paid 100,000 to 199,000.

There were 100 paid between 200,000 and 249,999 and 20 on 250,000 to 299,999.

The figure of 21 paid more than 300,000 was down from 24 dentists last year.

Andrew Lamb, director of the British Dental Association in Scotland, said the figures were made up of both income and expenses paid to dentists.

"The expenses element of the fee is calculated at 56.1 per cent, so the income is 43.9 per cent," Dr Lamb said

"So if you are talking about how much a dentist gets taxed on, it is actually the part that makes up 43.9 per cent."

Dr Lamb said the expenses would cover the cost of materials, equipment, staffing and other elements.

He said those on the highest incomes might be orthodonists, who carried out the most specialist work.

"They will be earning probably quite a lot more than the average dentist is earning."

Dr Lamb said the figures may also had to cover payment for an assistant dentist working under the lead dentist.

He said that most dentists would say they earned between 40,000 and 50,000 on the NHS each year.

Earlier this year, it emerged that Scottish dentists were being paid millions of pounds for patients who are dead or registered with other practices. A review of dental services found that dentists were paid for at least 150,000 people who are either deceased or being treated elsewhere.

Dentists can earn up to 4.96 a month for each NHS patient on their books.

The error has now been corrected, meaning the dental bill should drop.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said it was difficult to justify high NHS pay packets when almost 4,000 jobs were being cut this year, including 1,500 nurses.

"I think we need to look at this, along with other senior salaries, to see what can be done to ensure that scarce resources go towards sustaining jobs on the frontline and improving standards of patient care. [Health secretary] Nicola Sturgeon needs to get a grip," she said.

The Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Ross Finnie, said: "It is incredible that some NHS dentists can earn over 300,000, yet far too many people struggle to access an NHS dentist.

"This begs serious questions about the way in which we pay NHS dentists," said Mr Finnie. "These huge salaries are unacceptable while basic services are not being provided across the country."

Margaret Watt, who chairs the Scotland Patients Association, said some the wages paid to dentists appeared to be "quite obscene".

"I would like to know what the breakdown of the pay is," Ms Watt said.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are investing significantly in NHS general dental services in Scotland and are seeing a substantial increase in dental health, the dental workforce and the number of patient registrations.

"The independent Doctors and Dentists Review Body annually recommend on fees."