August newsletter: NHS dental reform, exit planning & BDA courses

This month, we’re looking at changes across the dental industry, as well as a packed line-up of expert-led events and resources.

Here’s what you’ll find in this blog post:

• NHS dental contract reform – what it means for you
  
  • Proposed government changes could affect patient expectations, market valuations, and the wider dental industry. We outline the main points you should be aware of.
• Planning your successful exit – free London event
  
  • Join us, DPS and AMG Wealth Management this October for expert advice on maximising your practice value and planning for life after dentistry.
• Invest in your team – upcoming BDA courses
  
  • Andy and Anne-Marie are delivering the BDA’s Business Essentials course this autumn, plus the “Setting Up a Dental Practice” workshop for associates considering ownership.

NHS dental contract reform – what it means for you as a practice owner

Last month the government unveiled a sweeping package of proposed reforms to the NHS dental contract under its 10-Year Health Plan. The public consultation closed on August 19^th, and while responses are now being reviewed, the proposals offer a strong indication of the direction ahead. As a dental practice owner, it’s important to stay informed about changes that could impact both your business and your patients.

Some highlights include:

• Mandatory unscheduled care: Practices would be expected to provide urgent care within 24 hours and non-urgent within a week, with a nationally set payment of £70 and £5 for every urgent course of treatment regardless of whether patient attends.
• New treatment pathways: Structured care plans with set fees (up to £680) for patients with complex decay and gum disease.
• Reduced check-ups: The government said that current check-up recommendations exceed the requirements of NICE guidelines. The consultation therefore proposes ‘reducing the number of clinically unnecessary check-ups to create capacity to improve care for those with more complex care needs’.
• Workforce improvements: Funding for quality improvement work and a model associate contract to strengthen consistency.
• Model contract for NHS associates: Terms of engagement can vary greatly, which is currently beyond the control of the government. The consultation proposes     the introduction of minimum terms of engagement, which ‘set the standard for reasonable behaviour and ensure that the NHS is not associated with poor practice’.

For the full details, you can read the complete article here: https://dentistry.co.uk/2025/07/08/nhs-dental-contract-changes-announced-by-government/

We’ll continue to monitor developments and highlight what they could mean for your practice and long-term planning.

Planning your successful exit: free event for dentists in London

Due to demand, Dental Practice Sale (DPS) is hosting another free live event in central London this October, designed to help practice owners prepare for a smooth and profitable exit.

On Thursday, October 16, Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston are joining DPS and AMG Wealth at the Great Northern Hotel for an evening of expert advice, networking, and practical insights.

The speakers will address key areas of concern to practice owners leading up to a sale, the sale process itself and post-sale aspects.

Dental Practice Sale is a specialist dental broker with an expansive national network of contacts and a team whose pedigree encompasses some of the UK’s most important, prestigious and noteworthy dental business transactions. Collectively the team has decades of experience in valuing, buying and selling dental practices.

AMG Wealth Management is a chartered financial planning practice that delivers high calibre intergenerational financial planning advice. It develops close working relationships with clients to provide investment planning based on your personal priorities, such as keeping a good standard of living in retirement or protecting wealth for future generations.

You’ll discover how to:

• Learn how to maximise your exit value - what are the drivers?
• Understand the benefits of structuring your business ready for exit
• Determine the best point to exit
• Hear a personal account from a DPS client & practice seller
• Gain insights on the state of the market today
• Consider where your practice sits with the different buyers in the market
• Uncover the details in deal structures
• Be informed about the valuation process & how you can influence it
• Be aware of options pre-sale such as EOT, Pre Sale Trusts, significant shareholder exemption
• Transition into the next phase of life (if retirement, what you will do, having winter hobbies etc)
• Ensure you run out of life before running out of money (cash forecasting) 
• Protect the estate for now and future generations

With complimentary drinks and buffet from 6.30pm, this is an unmissable opportunity to learn from industry leaders.

Location: Great NorthernHotel, King’s Cross St Pancras International Station, Pancras Road, London, N1C4TB

Date and time: Thursday,October 16 | 18:30 – 22:00

Secure your free place today: https://www.dentalpracticesale.co.uk/events/evant-2-0?hsLang=en-gb

Invest in your team – upcoming BDA courses with Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston

BDA Business Essentials Course

Led by Andy McDougall and Anne-Marie Houston

If you own a dental practice— or manage one — this focused two-day course is designed to give you the tools, strategies, and confidence to improve your practice’s profitability and performance. No fluff. Just what works.

Day one: Master your numbers (Sept 12^th)

• Understand your balance sheet clearly by lunchtime—no financial background required
• Identify where your profit is leaking and how to fix it
• Learn how pricing, cost management, and efficiency tweaks drive huge financial gains.

Day two: Real-world practice transformation (Oct 10^th)

• Work hands-on with ‘Demo Dental’ — a simulated struggling practice designed to reflect real-world challenges.
• Step-by-step, we’ll show you how to transform financial chaos into clarity.
• Implement strategic pricing adjustments, associate productivity tweaks, and smarter marketing strategies to turn a struggling practice into a thriving business.

Book now: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/business-essentials-sep-and-oct-2025/

Date: Friday 12th September (Day 1) | Friday 10th October (Day 2)

Location: 7 Mansfield Street, London, W1G 9NQ

Join us: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/business-essentials-sep-and-oct-2025/

Setting up a dental practice workshop

Are you thinking of starting a squat practice? Do you know an associate or colleague taking their first steps into practice ownership?

If so, the BDA’s Setting Up a Dental Practice workshop is the perfect starting point.

This practical one-day course is designed to guide new practice owners through everything they need to know about setting up from scratch or buying their first practice—from business planning and financing to compliance and marketing.

• Ideal if you’re planning to start a squat practice
• A great introduction for associates thinking of ownership
• Covers the essentials of buying or setting up a practice for the first time
• Delivered by a panel of industry experts including Andy and Anne-Marie

If you or someone you know could benefit from expert guidance before making this big move, this workshop is an invaluable step in the right direction.

Date: Friday 21^st November

Location: Central London

Places are filling fast — register now: 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.

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