New proposals to encourage career development and increase recognition for NHS salaried dentists in England have been welcomed by the British Dental Association. Following its review of salaried primary dental care services, the Department of Health says it wants to see changes that will modernise careers for salaried dentists, including a new pay spine for salaried generalists and rewarding specialists based in primary care in the same way as their hospital counterparts. In a letter to salaried dentists, Acting Chief Dental Officer Barry Cockcroft says the Department has now asked NHS employers to negotiate with the BDA new terms and conditions for salaried dentists. Acknowledging that concerns have been raised about the future of the salaried services' role in caring for people with special dental needs, the letter also states that the Department will discuss the implications of the General Dental Council's recent decision to approve a new specialty in special care dentistry.