BDA Lobbying in Scotland

About our work

The BDA Scotland and its elected committee members seek to improve conditions for the delivery of dental services across Scotland, negotiating directly with the Scottish Government. We also seek to influence other key-decision makers, including educational institutions, political parties and statutory and non-statutory organisations.

Our committees meet regularly to consider the issues affecting the dental profession and patient care. BDA representatives take these issues forward into discussion and negotiation with the Scottish Government and the range of bodies responsible for delivery of health and social care.

National priorities

In Scotland, dentistry is at a crossroads and the profession needs assurance that the future of NHS dentistry is a priority to the Scottish Government.

We are calling on the Government to:

Ensure NHS dentistry remains sustainable
Address the backlog of unmet dental care needs
Promote prevention to help tackle oral health inequalities
Improve access for vulnerable groups
Integrate oral health with wider public health priorities.

Committee representation

Dentists working in Scotland are represented through the

Scotland also holds one seat on the Principal Executive Committee (PEC), which sets our policy and strategic direction.

Staff based in Scotland

Charlotte Waite - BDA Scotland National Director

Elaine Bruce - Policy Officer

Kirsten Phillips - Policy Advisor

David Paul - Employment Relations Officer

Alan Pitcaithley - Practice Management Consultant for Scotland and Northern Ireland

Stay in touch

Members: If you'd like to be kept informed about developments make sure your details are up-to-date on your My BDA record and tick the 'News & campaigns' box under 'communication preferences' to get latest news updates.

Not a member? Sign up to our website and join the 'News & campaigns' list for all the latest updates.

Contact our Scotland office

Latest news

Access crisis has a body count – please share your feedback

With ongoing access issues, fuelling oral health problems we are calling on dentists UK-wide to share their feedback on what they are seeing at the chairside.

The amalgam ban: What you need to know

The European Parliament has voted to ban dental amalgam - the most common material for NHS permanent fillings in all corners of the UK - from 1 January 2025.

Antimicrobial resistance awareness week resources

Ahead of World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week, and throughout the year, we continue to work nationally and internationally to address the role of dentistry in AMR.

What does payment reform mean for you

It’s change, but not wholesale reform for Scotland as a new Determination I of the Statement of Dental Remuneration (SDR) lands.

Understanding and confronting sexual harassment at work

Research shows that sexual harassment is a widespread problem in the workplace.

Dentists call on government to extend free school meals to every child

Today, we delivered a joint open letter and petition to 10 Downing Street, calling on the Prime Minister to follow the example of the Welsh and Scottish Governments in extending the provision of free school meals to every child in primary school in England.

More dentists no 'Magic Bullet' to fix broken systems

In what marks a first the General Dental Council has gone on the record stating bringing in more dentists will not solve problems fuelled by broken contracts.

LDC Conference: NHS dentistry at a tipping point UK wide

Post covid recovery of services will depend on effective reform, with fair and sustainable funding for NHS dentistry. This was the clear message that emerged from dental leaders at this year's LDC conference.

NHS dentistry: PM must drop the spin and accept the facts

The government need to drop any pretence that NHS dentistry is on the road to recovery and to deliver a much-needed rescue package, alongside a pledge for reform of the contract.

"Crisis? What Crisis?": busting myths on NHS dentistry

Mass closures. Patients queuing at dawn outside practices. An exodus from the workforce.

Scottish Government asleep at the wheel on NHS dentistry

With the unanimous support of opposition parties, we have accused the Scottish Government of failing to take needed action to halt an exodus from NHS dentistry and restore access to millions.