And so we crash into 2023 without taking a breath. Around us, the NHS continues to struggle with strike action planned or threatened by nurses, ambulance workers and junior doctors as the country goes through a second winter of discontent. But where does that leave dentistry?

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If the last few years have told me anything, it's that trying to predict the future is a fruitless task, but here I am doing precisely that. However, I can be pretty sure that we're not going to strike. Not only is the profession more challenging to bring together than a clowder of cantankerous cats, but it's also probable any action would be restricted to those in salaried services. Self-employed general dentists are less likely to want to or be able to stay away from patients, especially in the associate-driven corporates, which underpin a significant amount of NHS provision. And limiting strike action to mainly hospital and community dentists would minimise the disruption caused while affecting those most in need, bringing the legitimacy of any strike action into question.

However, this may change if there's a shift in how we work. General dentists' self-employed status has long been a grey area, especially for associates. HMRC guidelines on this are due to be revised this year. Although little may change, this, along with the recent rulings on the vicarious liability of practice owners, may see an increase in salaried GDP posts being offered.

Life as an employee would be very different for many dentists. Still, for some, especially young dentists and those returning from a career break, the added job security, guaranteed income, and reduced contact with HMRC may be welcomed, even if that salary is lower than what they're used to. For practice owners, there's the benefit of reduced legal exposure, even if it means more complex accounting. It's a model already partially in use in some corporates, and one which we can expect to expand in that sector and possibly spill over into the independent market.

But, of course, talk of strike action is irrelevant because 2023 is, so we are told, the year of contract reform. If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you. In reality, dentistry is far down the pecking order when it comes to NHS funding. The enhanced UDA rate for complex treatment was delayed. Therapists are still unable to open their own courses of NHS treatment, despite this being announced months ago. In a world without funding to give inflation-linked pay rises to doctors, nurses and ambulance staff, we shouldn't expect any form of contract uplift soon. On the plus side, the political situation appears to be more stable than last year. With a general election in the minds of many in power, there is a good chance that dentistry will become a talking point which may even push that contract reform through. Without it, dentists and patients may be in for a tough year.