To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) whether he will commit to the British Dental Association’s request of ensuring a consistent approach to maternity pay for General Dental Practitioners is applied, whereby all health service dentistry earnings are considered eligible for purposes of calculating maternity pay and allowances; and (ii) whether he will provide clear communications to this effect to the profession.

Gross earnings for Maternity payments are calculated using the following payment types:

Capitation

Capitation Adjustments

Continuing Care

Continuing Care Adjustments

Continuing Professional Development Allowance (CPDA)

CPDA Adjustment

CPDA Expenses

CPDA Expenses Adjustment

Long Term Sickness

Long Term Sickness Adjustment

Seniority

Seniority Adjustment

Clinical Audit

Peer Review Scheme

Peer Review Scheme Adjustment

Occasional

Trainers Grant

Pre October 1990

Trainers Grant Adjustment

The criteria applied when calculating Maternity payments is the same for all General Dental Practitioners.

I am aware that The British Dental Association (BDA) has been in contact with my Officials and the Business Services Organisation (BSO) regarding concerns over how maternity payments are calculated. The BSO has shared the list of each payment type included with the BDA and has agreed to share further details on how the regulations are being applied in future meetings between the organisations.

Should further clarification be required following these discussions it can and will be provided.