At Spot On Business Planning, our mission is to equip dental practice owners with the tools, strategies, and insights they need to build a thriving and profitable business. Each month, we bring you exclusive content, expert advice, and practical resources to help you stay ahead and make confident decisions.

In this edition, we explore how understanding, and more importantly, influencing your numbers can lead to measurable improvements in performance and profit. You’ll also learn how the Spot On Business Mastery programme can help you create a self-managed practice that supports your long-term goals, whether that’s scaling, exiting, or achieving better work-life balance. 

We’re also sharing essential tax advice from Dental Practice Sale, highlighting important changes to Asset Disposal Relief that could affect the value of your future exit. And don’t miss details of two upcoming BDA courses led by Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston. 

Finally, we’re excited to announce the launch of our official YouTube channel, where you’ll find practical tips, client stories, and expert insights in an easy-to-watch format.

Read on to explore: 

• A new blog post on understanding and influencing your numbers by Andy McDougall
• How to build a self-managed practice with Spot On Business Mastery
• Asset Disposal Relief tax advice from our business partners Dental Practice Sale
• Upcoming BDA courses with Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston

Want to receive our newsletters straight to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter.

Understanding and influencing your numbers

As a dental business owner, knowing your numbers isn't enough—influencing them is what drives performance and profitability. In his latest blog, Andy McDougall breaks down two key Spot On Business Planning principles that help practices unlock hidden profit and long-term value.

Your business has a unique financial fingerprint

Forget industry averages.They don’t reflect your unique business model, brand positioning, or fee structures—and relying on them can lead you down the wrong path. Andy explains how to dig beneath the surface of your numbers and focus on what’s really going on in your practice. It's about identifying the key drivers of performance and using them to your advantage.

The power of quarters and halves

Tiny percentages make a massive difference. Andy introduces the “quarters and halves” concept—a strategy that reveals how small tweaks to your variable cost ratios (like lab fees and associate costs) can unlock thousands in extra profit each year. It’s the secret to running a more efficient, less stressful business, where growth becomes a choice—not a constant pressure.

Whether you’re scaling up, planning your exit, or just want better control—these insights will shift your thinking from reactive to strategic.

Read the full article to discover how to influence your numbers and never look at your numbers the same way again.

Full article here: https://www.spoton-businessplanning.co.uk/blog/understanding-and-influencing-your-numbers

Build a self-managed practice with Spot On Business Mastery

Are you ready to transform your dental business into a thriving, self-managed practice that achieves your financial and lifestyle goals - without relying on you to drive everything forward? 

Whether your goal is to achieve a better work-life balance, increase financial success, prepare for a lucrative exit, or build a group of practices, the Spot On Business Mastery (SOBM) leadership programme is designed to help you succeed. 

Led by Andy McDougall and multi-practice owner Mark Skimming, this programme combines theory, practical expertise, and hands-on experience to give you a step-by-step formula for creating a self-managed practice. You’ll discover a well-used, highly successful strategy that empowers you to implement and sustain your business goals year after year.

Imagine a business that runs smoothly and efficiently, achieving results without requiring your constant presence, that you can upscale if you choose to acquire more practices. With SOBM, you’ll learn how to create a dental practice that aligns with your vision, allowing you to focus on your passions, personal life, and future goals.

“Before this course started I was in a pretty bad place, everything looked quite grim because I couldn’t find my right work-life balance. It’s helped me decide what is important, what I need to prioritise and what I need to pass on to my practice managers. It’s all helping me develop my practice managers and my team so that they can take more work on.”

Sakshi Gautam, Perfect Smile Clinic 

What to expect:

• A 12-month programme delivered in quarterly instalments
• Support and guidance from an unrivalled team
• A methodology for determining the DNA of your business
• A streamlined business management system
• Proven strategies that build high-performing, self-managed teams

If you’re interested in finding out more, Andy and Mark are hosting an introductory webinar for practice owners and practice managers on 29^th April. 

1pm - Practice managers: https://sobm.co.uk/webinar-pms/ 

7:30pm - Practice owners: https://sobm.co.uk/webinar/

The tax window – what is it?

An article by Dean Barker, Manager director of Dental Practice Sale

As a dental practice owner, you may be aware when selling your practice you will potentially incur Asset Disposal Relief tax.

ADR has recently changed, rising to a new increased nominal rate of 14% from 6^th April 2025, however, a tax window exists for this new rate until 5^th April 2026. Thereafter it will rise again to a new nominal rate of 18%.

By acting now, you may be able to save £40,000 tax on a sale before 5^th April 2026.

Consequently, this is the right time to take action and advice on the best way to proceed with your principal asset.

The expert team at Dental Practice Sale can advise:

• When is the right time to sell relating to both tax liabilities     and the current value of your practice.
• What other factors do you need to consider
• How long will it take & how do recent tax changes relate to this
• Who is likely to buy your practice
• What happens to me post sale

The tax implications of a sale and many other key questions that do arise in this complex process deserve to be addressed and the friendly expert team at DPS have the answers, so why not get in touch to start the conversation.

Contact Dean Barker: dean@dentalpracticesale.co.uk

Upcoming BDA courses with Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston

We’re delighted to be delivering two courses in partnership with the British Dental Association (BDA):

1. Business essentials: what every practice owner needs to know | June 27^th & September 12^th

The BDA Business Essentials course, led by Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston, is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and confidence to improve your practice’s profitability and performance — without the fluff.

Why attend the course? 

• Develop your business acumen by investing in your development. Ideally attend the course with your manager together so you can share the tools you learn and apply them back at the business.
• Maximise your profitability: Learn how small adjustments can make a significant impact on your practice's financial performance.
• Plan for your future: Whether you're preparing for a sale or aiming to expand, gain the tools and strategies to achieve your vision for growth.
• Benefit from concentrated time with Andy and Anne-Marie, who bring their years of experience in transforming dental practices to this two-day deep-dive event.

Book your place here: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/business-essentials-jun-and-sep-2025/

2. Setting up a dental practice | July 4^th

This in-person workshop is a great opportunity for you to gain invaluable support and insider information from expert speakers, including Andy and Anne-Marie, on how to set out on your own for the first time. It will help you figure out which type of practice is right for you and get valuable advice on how to finance the purchase.

In their session they will cover:

• What moneylenders want to know and what they will want to see.
• The fundamental commercial considerations.
• Understanding the opportunity, competition and local demographic.
• Cashflow: considerations of what to invest in and when.
• Project management and planning: the key milestones.
• Recruitment: getting the right people on board.
• KPIs and ensuring you’re hitting the all-important targets underpinning your plan.

This workshop is tailored for associates and first-time owners who want to launch a squat practice with confidence and clarity.

Book your place here: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/setting-up-a-dental-practice/

Stay connected with SOBP on social media

Did you know we’re active on social media? Our channels are the perfect way to stay updated, inspired, and informed about the latest developments in dentistry, industry trends, and expert advice tailored just for you.

By following us, you’ll get access to:

• Tips and insights to help grow and optimise your practice.
• Webinar and event updates, so you never miss out on valuable learning opportunities.
• Success stories and testimonials from clients just like you.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Want to receive our newsletters straight to your inbox? Subscribe now.