How Much Do Dentists Make in England? A Compassionate Salary Guide for 2024

Have you ever wondered how much dentists actually make in England? Maybe you’re thinking about dentistry as a job. Or maybe you’re a parent helping your child make choices for the future. Maybe you’re already working as a dentist, just checking if you’re earning what you should. Whatever brings you here, you’re not the only one—pay is one of the top questions people have about this important healthcare job.

Money isn’t everything, of course. But it matters a lot when making big life choices—like what to study at university, making plans for your family, or even moving to a new area (or to a new country). If you want a clear, truthful, and simple guide about dentist pay in England, you’re in the right place.

I’ll walk you through the numbers, explain why they can be different, and help you make better choices—all using simple examples and real-life ideas. Let’s clear up the details about one of the country’s busy careers.

In This Article

• What Factors Influence Dentist Salaries in England?
• Average Dentist Salaries in England (2024 Data)
• Data & Statistics: A Detailed Breakdown of Dentist Earnings
• How Can Dentists Maximise Their Earning Potential?
• What’s the Future Outlook for Dentist Salaries in England?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Key Takeaways and Empowering Next Steps

What Factors Influence Dentist Salaries in England?

Let’s start by looking at why dentist pay is so different for different people, and what changes your paycheck. Think of it like a recipe: change one thing, and the result can taste very different. Here’s what goes into the mix.

NHS vs. Private Practice: The Basic Split

First, you need to know about the two main ways dentists work in England:

• NHS Dentistry: This is care under the National Health Service. Your pay depends on an NHS contract—usually linked to something called UDAs (Units of Dental Activity), or sometimes a flat wage.
• Private Dentistry: Dentists set their own prices, get paid for every treatment, and often have patients who want things done quickly or want work for cosmetic reasons.

Choosing between the NHS or private work isn’t just about money. It also changes your working hours, what kind of care you do, and even how much you enjoy your job.

Simple Example:

An NHS dentist is a bit like a cook in a big school kitchen—lots of people to feed, set menus, hours that are mostly regular. A private dentist is more like a chef in a fancy restaurant—can charge more, can offer special meals, maybe works different hours.

NHS Contractual Earnings (UDA System, Salaried Roles)

• Most NHS dentists get paid for finishing a set number of UDAs every year. Each UDA is worth around £25 to £30 or more, depending on where you are and the deal you have.
• Community dentists and some others have set NHS pay points.

Private Practice Income (Paid per Treatment, Commission)

• In private practice, dentists often get a percentage of what they earn for the place—usually between 45% and 55%.
• If you do lots of cosmetic work, or are really good at what you do, you can earn more.

Experience Level and Seniority

People who have worked longer almost always get paid more than new starters. But the route you take matters too. You could start at:

• Foundation Dentist (DF1/DF2): Just out of dental school, in a year of special training.
• Associate Dentist: Working at an established practice, most are self-employed.
• Principal Dentist/Practice Owner: Running the whole show—taking on more responsibility and risk.
• Consultant Dentist: Working in a hospital, with expert roles.

It’s like climbing a ladder. Each step up brings new chances, more freedom, and (yep) better pay.

Specialisation: Extra Skills, Extra Money

As in medicine, dentists who train in something special (like braces, root canals, or dental surgery) can often earn a lot more than “regular” dentists. Why? They study for extra years and can do jobs others can’t.

Where You Work: City or Countryside

Not all places pay the same. Dentists in London and the South East usually earn more—even loads more—than dentists up north or in the countryside, partly because life costs more there. But faraway places sometimes pay more to get people to move there.

Working Hours & Practice Type

Do you work full time or part time? Work alone or in a big chain? Mix NHS and private patients? All these matter. Even being good at managing your bookings and time can make a difference.

Average Dentist Salaries in England (2024 Data)

So what do the numbers really look like? Here’s what different types of dentists can expect to make this year.

Foundation Dentist (DF1/DF2) Salaries

• Usual Range: £36,000–£42,000 per year
• Who is this for? New dentists just out of dental school in their training year. It’s a set NHS wage.
• What to expect: You’ll have close supervision. It’s less than you can earn later, but still really good for a first job.

Associate Dentist Earnings

Associate Dentist (NHS)

• Usual Range: £60,000–£90,000+ per year
• How it works: Get paid by the number of UDAs you finish. Good, busy dentists in popular places can earn more than £90K.
• Watch out: Pay can go up and down—if you’re not at work or there aren’t many patients, pay is lower.

Associate Dentist (Private)

• Usual Range: £70,000–£150,000+ per year
• High earners: Some earn over £200,000, especially in popular locations or with extra cosmetic work.
• Why the jump? Private dentists set higher fees, pick which work to do, and see patients who often pay for faster or “nicer” work.

Salaried NHS Dentist

• Range: £47,678–£86,818 per year
• Who this fits: Dentists on pay point roles with the NHS, including some specialists. The pay is steady but has less room to be much higher.

Specialist Dentist Salaries

• Range: £90,000–£250,000+ per year
• Who makes this?: Orthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, gum specialists—often doing both NHS and private work.

Principal Dentist/Practice Owner

• Range: £100,000–£500,000+ per year (after costs)
• What’s tough?: You have to pay your staff and bills. But if your practice is busy and you manage it well, you can earn a lot.

Consultant in Dental Public Health/Other Specialties (NHS)

• Range: £93,666–£126,281 per year
• Where? NHS hospitals or community, set on the NHS consultant pay scale.

Locum Dentist

• Day Rate: £350–£600+ (equals £100,000+ if you work full time)
• Good and bad: You can choose when and where to work but don’t get paid holidays or sick days. Great for some, not for others.

Data & Statistics: A Detailed Breakdown of Dentist Earnings

Let’s make this even clearer with a simple table. This is what you can really expect in England during 2023–2024, based on NHS, British Dental Association, and industry info:

Things to remember:

• Private work is going up in pay faster than NHS jobs.
• Where you live really changes what you can earn—London and South East are usually the best.
• Life’s getting pricier, and that affects real pay.
• The UDA system sometimes frustrates NHS dentists—it can hold down what you earn and how happy you are at work.

How Can Dentists Maximise Their Earning Potential?

If you want to earn more, dentistry gives you lots of options. You don’t just have to work more hours. Smarter moves, better skills, and good choices go a long way.

Study More & Get Extra Skills

• Extra study (like specialist degrees or fellowships) lets you do higher-paying jobs—braces, root canal specialist, dental surgery, etc. Yes, it’s more work for a few years—but you earn more, for much longer.
• Specialists have fewer, bigger cases, and their patients know they’re experts.

Learn Advanced, Cosmetic Skills

• If you can offer things like clear aligners, teeth whitening, or dental implants, you’ll get more patients and can charge higher prices.
• Cosmetic dentistry is growing in England, even as NHS care is under pressure.

Go Private or Mix Your Work

• Mixing private and NHS work can give steady work and higher earnings.
• Building up your reputation, caring for patients, and using the internet well helps your private list grow.

Own a Practice

• Running a dental practice is like running a small company. If you do it well, your earnings grow (and you cover the risks).
• If you have more than one practice, or a busy team, your money can double or more.

Work Efficiently & Fill Your Day

• Want to earn more without more hours? Work smarter—streamline bookings, help your team, and get loyal patients.
• Less paperwork means more time doing dental work.

Try Locum or Other Dental Roles

• Some dentists pick up extra shifts as locums, or even only temp for more money.
• You can also teach, consult, or write—these bring in extra money and change up your work life.

What’s the Future Outlook for Dentist Salaries in England?

Like every healthcare job, dentistry is changing all the time. Here’s what’s in the future:

NHS Changes & Funding

• NHS dentist pay hasn’t kept up with cost of living—recent British Dental Association reports show real pay cuts.
• Changes to contracts might help, but nobody is sure yet. Private jobs look like they’ll keep growing.

Need for Dental Care

• More people want check-ups, cosmetic care, and specialist services.
• An older population and more people who care about their teeth keeps dentists in demand.

Rising Prices & Costs

• Inflation means pay might not stretch as far.
• London pays more, but it’s also a lot more costly to live there.

New Trends in Dental Work

• Things like digital dental lab tech, online appointments, and clear aligners are making new kinds of care possible.
• Dentists who keep learning and try new things can get paid the best.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is dentistry a well-paid job in the UK?

For the most part, yes! Dentists are among the best paid in healthcare, especially if they do private work. But pay varies a lot based on where you work, your job, and if you’re mostly NHS or private.

What’s the difference between gross and net pay?

Gross pay is everything you make before tax and costs. Net pay (your paycheck) is what’s left after tax, national insurance, and if you’re self-employed, things like equipment and insurance.

How much tax do dentists pay in the UK?

Dentists pay UK income tax at the usual rates: 20%, 40%, or 45%, plus national insurance. Practice owners can count work expenses to lower their tax but don’t expect big loopholes.

Can dentists become millionaires in the UK?

Yes, but just earning a dentist’s wage won’t do it for everyone. Dentists with their own successful practices, those who invest, and those who specialise in top jobs sometimes reach a million in assets.

What is a UDA worth in England?

Value changes, but it’s usually £25 to £30 per UDA. Some dentists get more. Your pay depends on how many UDAs your contract has and how many you deliver, so being organised matters.

Key Takeaways and Empowering Next Steps

Here’s a quick summary:

What matters most:

• Dentist pay in England is wide-ranging—from £36,000 for a trainee to over £200,000 for top specialists or practice owners.
• Private work and specialising pay most, but need more training or business know-how.
• Place, experience, and if you’re NHS or private all make a real difference.
• Prices are up and NHS pay is flat, but there are still loads of chances for those willing to skill up or work hard.

If you’re a student or new dentist:

• Try to see what different jobs are really like—watch real dentists, ask how NHS and private jobs work.

If you’re already working:

• Think what might be stopping you from earning more. Would learning new skills, trying new tech, or buying into a practice help you?

For parents or career changers:

• Dentistry is still a good, respected, well-paid career for people who like science, taking care of people, and working with their hands.

What’s your next step?

Pick the path that fits your skills and life. Ask dentists what it’s like. If you’re curious about cosmetic care or dental implants, look into how teaming up with top china dental lab and crown and bridge services can help you offer treatments patients want, both NHS and private.

Bottom line:

Dentistry in England is a job with good pay, flexible hours, and lots of choices for those ready to keep learning and adapting. There’s never been more ways to shape the future you want.

Resources:

• British Dental Association – Pay and Contracts
• NHS Careers: Dentist
• Office for National Statistics – UK Salary Data

For more on improving your oral health or finding out about new dental ideas like veneers, check out our guides.

Remember: No matter where you are in your journey, knowing more helps you make better choices—use it to shape your future!