Current UDA Rates in the UK (2025 - 2026)!
What Dentists Should Know by Region
If you’re an Associate Dentist working within the NHS or a mixed practice, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once this year..
“What’s a fair UDA rate right now?”
With rates shifting rapidly across the UK due to regional shortages and private sector competition, understanding the current UDA landscape in 2025 is more important than ever.
At Elev8 Search Group, we’ve pulled together a snapshot of what practices and associates are seeing across England and Wales.
What Is a UDA Rate (and Why It Matters)?
A UDA (Unit of Dental Activity) represents a set amount of NHS dental work completed.
Each practice has an annual contract with a target number of UDAs, and associates are paid a fixed amount per UDA, their UDA rate.
A strong UDA rate can make a significant difference to take-home pay, but so can the number of UDAs offered, private potential, and support structure within the practice.
Average UDA Rates Across the UK (2025-2026)
Below is a breakdown of current average UDA rates we’re seeing across England and Wales in 2025.
These figures come from live job adverts, recruitment data, and associate feedback.
- London (Central & Greater) – £15.00 – £16.50
- South East (Surrey, Kent, Sussex) – £14.00 – £15.50
- South West (Bristol, Devon, Cornwall) – £13.00 – £15.00
- East of England (Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk) – £13.00 – £14.50
- West Midlands (Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Coventry) – £13.00 – £14.50
- East Midlands (Leicester, Derby, Nottingham) – £12.50 – £14.00
- North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Chester) – £13.00 – £15.00
- North East (Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham) – £12.50 – £14.50
- Yorkshire & Humber (Leeds, Sheffield, Hull) – £13.00 – £14.50
- Wales – £11.50 – £13.50
What’s Driving the Differences?
Several factors influence UDA rate variation across the UK –
Regional shortages — Rural areas and small towns often pay higher to attract associates.
Private/NHS mix — The more private opportunity available, the lower the UDA rate usually is.
Corporate vs Independent — Independents tend to offer more flexibility and slightly higher rates.
Support structure — Practices with hygienists, TCOs, and modern equipment can justify moderate UDA rates through efficiency gains.
What’s Competitive?
In most regions, £14 – £15 per UDA is now viewed as competitive.
Practices offering less than £13 often struggle to attract experienced clinicians especially those with private potential elsewhere.
For associates, the sweet spot is often balance –
A fair UDA value
Realistic UDA target
Strong private list growth potential
The dental market in the UK is still candidate driven.
Associates have options and practices are adapting by increasing rates, improving flexibility, and promoting clinical autonomy.
If you’re an associate considering a move or a practice looking to stay competitive, understanding your regional market value is key to attracting and keeping the right talent.
At Elev8 Search Group, we specialise in helping both practices and professionals navigate these changes matching people to roles that genuinely fit. Interested in learning more about how we can support you either fill a position or find your next position…
