NHS dental contract quality and payment reforms
Please follow the links below to the relevant guidance documents to assist with implementation of the 2026 NHS dental contract quality and payment reforms. These may be updated so we recommend regularly reviewing them:
Guidance on the quality and payment reforms (alongside template documents that can be used for quality improvement offer letters and appraisals)
Quality and payment reforms contractual guidance
Year 1 topic guide for the quality improvement programme:
Quality improvement programme: Year 1 topic guide
NHS dental quality and payment reforms – guidance summary:
NHS dental quality and payment reforms guidance summary
Contract Changes Frequently Asked Questions:
NHSE WT&E are developing a range of courses to support training and upskilling staff to enable the implementation of these changes.
The course programme will be updated in line with further guidance as it becomes available. Therefore please continue to check the booking system – Maxcourse; for further details:
http://www.maxcourse.co.uk/heetvw/guestHome.asp
Prevention
The 10 Year Health Plan for England, Fit for the Future, published in July 2025 highlights the importance of the shift from treatment to prevention and this is supported in the dental contract reforms.
Delivering better oral health provides valuable information on the application of topical fluoride and fissure sealants.
Fluoride Varnish Application Information:
OCDO Webinar on Fluoride Varnish:
OCDO Webinar on Fissure Sealants:
Quality Improvement
Quality Improvement (QI) is a systematic approach to solving simple or complex issues by involving those closest to them. Funded QI activities are being introduced in NHS dentistry from 2026/27 for eligible Dental Contractors.
It will initially be a structured 3-year programme with a nationally determined topic for each financial year. The first year topic will be recall intervals between oral health reviews.
Dental Practices should refer to the specific topic guidance for each year. This guidance will be published in advance of the start of the QI year on the NHS England dental contract reform webpage. The deadlines for each QI year will be confirmed in that year’s topic guidance.
The requirements of the QI programme have been designed as practice-based activities, with the intention that these will involve members from across the whole Dental Team who support the delivery of NHS dental care.
Practice data packs on the QI topic will be provided on COMPASS to support the Dental Practice in reviewing and discussing, within the Dental Team, what the data is showing and identifying areas for improvement.
Please refer to the specific guidance for more details on the requirements such as who should be involved, what needs to take place, and how to provide evidence that this has been completed.
NHS Dental Quality Improvement Guidance:
Peer review
A key benefit of QI is participation in peer review and sharing of learning. Peer review provides a structured, collaborative process where Dental Teams both within and across Dental Practices can identify strengths and weaknesses and share best practice and learning.
The aim is to improve care, maintain quality standards, reduce unwarranted variations in care and support evidence-based practice.
Peer-Review-for-the-Dental-Team-National-Toolkit-July-2022.pdf
Appraisals
Dental Contractors will support dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists delivering NHS services under the contract to have the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver effective care and treatment under the contract, and take part in appraisal.
The intention behind this contractual change is to promote high-quality clinical care, thriving careers, and professional development supported through regular engagement with the appraisal process.
A free training on Appraisals is available on e-Learning for Health in section 03 – Assessment and Progression, as part of a suite of Educator Training Resources:
Appraisal resources on e-Learning for Health
Annex B provides further information on preparing for an appraisal.
An example appraisal template is provided in Annex C.