NHS Dentist Earnings and Expenses Tracker
NHS dentist average net income was £78,200 in 2023/24
Annual gross earnings, expenses and net income for self-employed primary-care NHS dentists in England, from NHS Digital open data. Time series from 2009/10 onwards. Published under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Key findings (2023/24)
- Self-employed primary-care NHS dentists in England earned an average of £158,100 in gross income in 2023/24, with average expenses of £79,900, leaving average net income before tax of £78,200.
- The median net income was £64,700, below the average -- reflecting that a smaller number of high-earning dentists (typically large practice principals) pulls the average upward.
- Net income rose +£6,900 compared with the prior year (2022/23), when average net income was £71,300.
- The estimated dentist population covered by this survey was 20,100 NHS primary-care dentists in England in 2023/24.
Source: NHS Digital, Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates 2023/24, under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures may be cited with attribution to Dental Finance Partners.
Earnings trend: 2009/10 to 2023/24
The chart shows average gross earnings, expenses and net income before tax for self-employed NHS dentists in England over more than 15 years. The 2020/21 figures are affected by NHS Covid support payments to dental contractors and are not directly comparable with adjacent years.
Gross earnings, expenses and net income (2023/24)
The chart below shows the earnings breakdown for 2023/24. Expenses represent roughly half of gross earnings. Net income is what remains before income tax and national insurance contributions.
Earnings by UK country (2023/24)
The table below shows average net income by UK country. England and Scotland typically show the highest averages; Wales and Northern Ireland reflect different NHS contract structures and local market conditions.
| Country | Avg gross earnings | Avg expenses | Avg net income |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | £158,100 | £79,900 | £78,200 |
| Wales | £161,500 | £81,600 | £79,900 |
Methodology and sources
Data source. Figures come from the NHS Digital Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates publication, produced annually from HMRC self-assessment records and NHS payment data. The survey covers self-employed dentists who derive a significant proportion of their income from primary-care NHS dental contracts (GDS and PDS). Employed dentists (salaried dental officers in community services) are excluded.
Measures. Gross earnings include all taxable income from dentistry, both NHS and private. Expenses are total allowable business expenses. Income Before Tax (net income) is gross earnings minus expenses, before income tax and national insurance. Figures are published rounded to the nearest hundred pounds.
Caveats. 2020/21 figures are distorted by NHS Covid support payments (dentists received income without delivering normal activity). The dataset covers dentists primarily on NHS contracts; those working mostly in private practice are under-represented. Average figures are influenced by a small number of very high-earning principals. Generated 2026-07-20.
- Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates, 2023/24 (CSV) (NHS England / NHS Digital)
Download the earnings time series (CSV)
Free to cite and republish with attribution to Dental Finance Partners. This page is a data summary and does not constitute tax or financial advice on any individual situation.
Making the most of your dental earnings
Whether you are an associate benchmarking your earnings against the national average, a principal reviewing your practice extraction strategy, or a buyer assessing goodwill value relative to income, our dental accountants can help you structure your income efficiently. We work exclusively with dental professionals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average NHS dentist salary in 2023/24?
NHS Digital reports that the average income before tax for self-employed primary-care NHS dentists in England was £78,200 in 2023/24. This is average net income -- gross earnings minus expenses -- before income tax and national insurance. The median net income (the midpoint, less influenced by high earners) was £64,700. These figures cover dentists who derive the majority of their income from NHS dental contracts.
What expenses can NHS dentists deduct?
Self-employed NHS dentists can deduct legitimate business expenses from their gross earnings before calculating taxable income. Common allowable expenses include practice costs (premises, rates, utilities), clinical staff wages (nurses, receptionists), laboratory fees, equipment and instruments, professional indemnity insurance, professional body subscriptions, continuing professional development costs, clinical supplies and materials, and motor expenses for business travel. The NHS Digital data shows average expenses of £79,900 in 2023/24, representing roughly 50% of gross earnings. Associates working from a principal's practice have a different expense profile, primarily limited to indemnity, CPD and equipment they personally own.
How do NHS dentist earnings compare with private dentistry?
The NHS Digital earnings data covers only dentists earning primarily from NHS contracts. Private dental income is not captured. In practice, many dentists work in a mixed NHS and private model, and the private component can substantially increase total earnings above the NHS-only figures shown here. Some fully private dentists earn significantly more; others earn less if they are early in their career or in less affluent areas. The figures here provide a reliable NHS benchmark, not a ceiling.
Are these figures for associates or principals?
The NHS Digital dataset covers all self-employed primary-care NHS dentists, including both providing-performer (principals who hold the NHS contract) and associate (performer-only) dentists. The dataset segments by Business Arrangement in its full detail, but the headline figures shown here are for all types combined. Associates typically earn less than principals because associates pay a percentage of their UDA receipts to the practice (or work on a fee-share arrangement) and do not hold the capital value of the NHS contract. Principals have higher gross earnings but also higher expenses.
Where does this data come from?
The earnings and expenses figures come from the NHS Digital Dental Earnings and Expenses Estimates publication, produced annually from HMRC self-assessment records and NHS payment data. The latest edition covers 2023/24 and was published in July 2025. The data is published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The time series extends back to 2009/10 and allows trends to be tracked over more than 15 years.