October updates: Training, exit planning & team development

Each month we share the news, events, and opportunities most relevant to you as a practice owner or manager—so you can stay informed and focused on what matters most.

Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:

• NHS contract reform in Wales – what the latest updates mean for dentists
• Ethical communication & treatment plan acceptance – webinar replay & details of the upcoming masterclass
• Patients don’t respond to ads; they respond to trust – a free webinar with Surf Pacific
• Planning your successful exit – free London event this October
• Investing in your team – upcoming BDA Business Essentials course and Setting up a practice workshop

What do the latest NHS contract changes in Wales mean for dentists?

Following the Welsh Government’s initial announcement on NHS dental reform earlier in June, concerns quickly mounted across the profession. The consultation drew more than 6,400 responses from professionals and the public — a clear indication of how much is at stake for Welsh dentistry.

Since then, on September 23, the government has updated its position. While many hoped for clarity, one headline decision stood out: a U-turn on the proposed Dental Access Portal (DAP), which would have removed patient ownership from practices.

Other updates include:

• Confirmation that UDAs will be scrapped, with a new contract to launch in April 2026
• Recall intervals extended to18–24 months for dentally fit patients, to free up access for new patients
• NHS hourly rates increasing slightly, from £135 to £150

These changes still risk creating longer waiting times, greater financial strain, and added pressure on already overstretched teams. With only a modest uplift in NHS rates, questions remain about the sustainability of the model.

For the full details, you can read the complete article here: https://dentistry.co.uk/2025/09/30/welsh-dental-contract-changes-what-mean-for-dentists/

Planning your successful exit: free event for dentists in London

Due to demand, Dental Practice Sale (DPS) is hosting another FREE event this October to help dentists plan for a smooth and profitable exit. Andy and Anne-Marie will be guest speakers alongside DPS and AMG Wealth.

At this event, you’ll learn how to maximise your exit value, understand what today’s market means for you, and explore the options available to structure your business for the best outcome.

From valuations and deal structures to planning your next phase of life with confidence, we’ll cover everything you need to know to protect your wealth and secure your future.

Complimentary drinks and a buffet will be served from 6.30pm—so come along, learn from the experts, and enjoy a relaxed evening with your peers.

Location: Great Northern Hotel, King’s Cross St Pancras International Station, Pancras Road, London, N1C 4TB

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

Ethical Communication & Treatment Plan Acceptance Mastery

We had lots of interest but many were challenged because of school holidays so we have rearranged the day. Join Dr Mark Skimming on Friday 30 January instead!

At this hands-on training day in London, you’ll learn how to confidently guide your patients towards accepting treatment without feeling like you’re selling.

Mark Skimming – a practicing dentist and multi-practice owner – will impart a structured, ethical framework that will help you build trust and increase treatment uptake in ways that fit seamlessly into your clinical workflow.

Mark hosted a 1-hour webinar to introduce the training day – click here to watch the recording.

Who is this training day for?

Practice owners, associates and treatment coordinators who want to help more patients say yes to the right care without compromising their values.

What you’ll discover

• The critical points in your patient journey that influence treatment acceptance
• Key actions to take before your patient even sits in the chair
• How to communicate confidently with or without a TCO
• The core psychological principles that shape ethical patient decision-making
• How to quickly build trust with new patients
• The structure of a clear, effective, non-clinical case discussion
• Common traps dentists fall into when discussing treatment—and how to avoid them
• Tools to enhance your communication and patient understanding
• How to measure and improve your performance over time

Event details

• Location: Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, London Heathrow
• Date: Friday, 30 January 2026
• Duration: 6 hours of verifiable CPD
• Investment: £1,200

Book your place: https://sobm.co.uk/communication-course/

Patients don’t respond to ads — they respond to trust. Discover how in this free webinar with Surf Pacific.

Dentists often say their biggest frustration is that patients “don’t understand the value” of what they do. But, by turning your professional insights into authoritative, accessible content, you position yourself as the go-to voice in your area. This is exactly what Key Opinion Leaders do to attract speaking slots and referrals. For patients, it translates into confidence: if they sound like the experts, they must be the experts.

In today’s noisy social world, patients don’t respond to ads — they respond to trust. CareCast is a process pioneered by the leadership team at Surf Pacific. This webinar, hosted by Gregory Gray, will show you how to turn one intelligent conversation into months of patient-facing authority content. Backed by the latest neuroscience, storytelling doesn’t just influence perception — it changes brain chemistry.

Webinar highlights:

• The neuroscience of trust: why patients buy people, not procedures
• Authority over advertising: turn one conversation into films, podcasts, articles, and 50+ posts
• Humanise your practice: build pre-appointment trust
• From content to conversion: use behavioural economics to grow treatment uptake
• Learn how to harness dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins (the “angels’ cocktail”) to build trust, attract high-value patients, and grow your practice without discounting.

Webinar details:

Date: 18th November 2026

Time: 7:30-8:30pm

Online via Zoom

Sign up to the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/7117593060883/WN_NDNDhJEtTvOTXXftjof0Kg

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

Strong leadership is key to practice success. If you or your practice manager missed the September Business Essentials course, don’t worry—Andy and Anne-Marie are running the next two-day programme in May & June 2026.

This two-day course complements the work we do together and gives principals and practice managers the tools to:

• Understand the numbers behind practice performance
• Drive profitability and sustainable growth
• Make confident business decisions
• Develop real business acumen

We often see the biggest progress in practices where both the principal and practice manager “speak the same language” around business and finance. If you’ve already attended, why not invest in your practice manager’s development too?

Event details:

Day 1 8th May 2026 | Day 2: 26th June 2026

7 Mansfield Street, London, W1G 9NQ

Join us: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/business-essentials-may-and-june-2026/

And for associates or colleagues ready to take the leap into ownership, the BDA’s Setting Up a Dental Practice workshop on 21st November (Central London) is an invaluable guide to buying or starting a practice from scratch. Ideal for those planning a squat or acquiring their first practice, this one-day event covers business planning, finance, compliance, and marketing, with Andy and Anne-Marie on the expert panel.

Places are filling fast—encourage your team (or future owners you know) to register now: https://www.bda.org/learning/courses-and-events/setting-up-a-dental-practice/