What the BDA does

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As a trade union and professional body, we represent all fields of dentistry and offer advice and education. Our duty is to promote your interests, advance the art, science and ethics of dentistry, and improve the nation’s oral health. We place members at the heart of everything we do.

We are collectively stronger when the whole dental community works together. We share our knowledge and expertise for the benefit of members, the dental profession and patients.

We listen when members speak up, using your stories and evidence from the frontline to bring dentists together and enact change.

We are owned and run by our members and all our income is reinvested for the benefit of the profession.

Together, we are stronger.

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Campaigns and advocacy

We represent the dental profession in its dealings with governments and employing authorities. We negotiate better pay and conditions of service, lobby politicians on legislation, campaign on public health issues, champion high standards and promote policies that benefit dental practice and dental care.

Campaigns and advocacy

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Advice

All members can access our extensive range of expert online advice. Everyday our expert advisors provide Extra and Expert  members throughout the UK with unlimited, one-to-one advice. 

A dentist wearing dark grey scrubs is on the phone at a desk in a dental surgery

Indemnity

We are here to support and protect you on every step of your professional journey. We offer unparalleled protection and flexibility to our members. Our indemnity policy is occurrence-based, so when an incident occurs under the policy, you are covered forever. Plus, it's contractual - not discretionary like mutual defence organisations.

Dr Dev Patel looks at the camera through a light blue shield signifying protection

Learning and development

All qualified dentists in the UK have a responsibility to maintain and develop professional knowledge and ensure that personal behaviour maintains patients’ confidence to provide the best possible treatment and care. We offer a variety of resources to ensure your professional skills and knowledge are up to date. 

Two smiling dentists are practising whitening techniques in a workshop setting

Good practice

Good Practice is a quality assurance programme enabling members to communicate an ongoing commitment to working to standards of good practice on professional and legal responsibilities.

BDA Good Practice

A group of dentists and DCPs stand in a brightly lit dental practice reception area

Representing you

The BDA is run by dentists for dentists. We are collectively stronger when the whole dental community works together. We are a not-for-profit organisation, owned and run by our members, who are the heart of everything we do. We invite you to get involved.