Urgent dental care incentive scheme

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The urgent dental care incentive scheme launched on 25 September 2025 and runs until 31 March 2026. The scheme aims to incentivise dental contractors and their oral healthcare teams to provide more urgent care to patients in 2025/26.

Updates to the scheme

After receiving feedback on the Scheme from Dental Providers and Commissioners we have decided to:

  • extend the sign-up deadline of the Scheme for participants
  • lift the cap on the incentive payment

The supporting guidance and letter published below provide information to commissioners and dental providers on the scheme, including eligibility and participation process, calculation of the target, terms and conditions of this scheme and the payment arrangements.

Contents

  1. Guidance
  2. Annex A
  3. Annex B
  4. Annex C
  5. Annex D
  6. Annex E
  7. Letter re: UDCI scheme launch

Guidance

Link

Urgent dental care incentive scheme: contractual guidance for commissioners and dental providers

Urgent dental care incentive scheme: contractual guidance for commissioners and dental providers

NHS England is not responsible for content on external websites.

Summary

Accessible content published 25 September 2025.

Updated 21 November 2025.

Document

(PDF version) Urgent dental care incentive scheme: contractual guidance for commissioners and dental providers

(PDF version) Urgent dental care incentive scheme: contractual guidance for commissioners and dental providers

  • PDF
  • 388 KB
  • 24 pages

Summary

Version 2.0 published 21 November 2025.

Updates/corrections are highlighted.

Annex A

Document

Annex A: template offer communication to eligible Dental Provider

Annex A: template offer communication to eligible Dental Provider

  • Microsoft Word
  • 124 KB
  • 4 pages

Summary

Published 25 September 2025.

Annex B

Document

Annex B: template communication to approved eligible Dental Provider

Annex B: template communication to approved eligible Dental Provider

  • Microsoft Word
  • 225 KB
  • 1 pages

Summary

Published 21 November 2025.

Annex C

Document

Annex C: template communication to ineligible Dental Provider

Annex C: template communication to ineligible Dental Provider

  • Microsoft Word
  • 121 KB
  • 1 pages

Summary

Published 25 September 2025.

Annex D

Document

Annex D: template offer communication to eligible Dental Providers who did not take up the offer by 17 October 2025.

Annex D: template offer communication to eligible Dental Providers who did not take up the offer by 17 October 2025.

  • Microsoft Word
  • 92 KB

Summary

Published 21 November 2025

Annex E

Document

Annex E: template communication to Dental Providers who have already signed-up to the Scheme

Annex E: template communication to Dental Providers who have already signed-up to the Scheme

  • Microsoft Word
  • 89 KB

Summary

Published 21 November 2025.

Letter re: UDCI scheme launch

Link

Launch of an urgent dental care incentive (UDCI) scheme

Launch of an urgent dental care incentive (UDCI) scheme

NHS England is not responsible for content on external websites.

Summary

Accessible content published 25 September 2025.