News feed - Practice Plan

All the latest dentistry news, all in one place.

Our dental news feed will be regularly updated to help you stay informed and keep up-to-date with everything that's happening in the industry.

Reflecting on 2024: progress and milestones in dentistry

Polly Bhambra reflects on different moments from an eventful year in dentistry and her goals for the coming year.

Significant gap in dental workforce, says association

The Association of Dental Groups (ADG) has highlighted the significant gap in the dental workforce, as it awaits the government and the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) action plan to deliver on their…

GDC fails to reach all standards of ‘good regulation’ in 2023/24

The General Dental Council (GDC) has met 16 out of 18 Standards of Good Regulation for 2023/24. This marks the same number that were met in the 2022/23 review period.

BDA - NHS dentistry: All we want for Christmas is clarity

Dentists in England are set to break for Christmas with no idea about when contractual uplifts will land, what shape support might take for the hike in overheads brought by the recent Budget, and little…

COVID-19 Dental Health Dental Profession Finance Mental Health NHS Practice Management Regulation

What are McCloud remediable pension savings statements?

Pensions expert Madeleine Dowling explains who remediable pension savings statements affect, the processes to follow and why it is important not to ignore the issue. Over the last few weeks, some people who are members of NHS Pension Scheme including practice managers, GPs and others will have been sent information… Read more

Survey reveals drop in overall goodwill values

The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL) has released its quarterly ‘Goodwill Survey’. Read more

UK inflation rises: what this could mean for dentistry

Inflation is back on the rise, according to new figures – but what could this mean for dentistry? Read more

BDA- The Budget: “Another nail in the coffin”

A hike in National Insurance (NI) contributions – without needed support - has infuriated dentists, many of whom are already struggling to balance the books. Read more

Practice Plan/Wesleyan issues response to The Budget

Following the delivery of Rachel Reeves’s first Budget of the new Labour Party government, Practice Plan and Wesleyan Financial Services – have issued a response of the key points for dental professionals. Read more

What do dentists need to know about the autumn budget?

Dental regional manager Neil Richardson from Wesleyan Financial Services discusses what dentists should be aware of in the upcoming budget. Read more

Pension Awareness Week 2024: top tips for dentists

Neil Richardson, regional manager at Wesleyan, breaks down the best advice he would give to dentists this Pension Awareness Week. Running from 9 to 15 September 2024, Pension Awareness Week has kicked off – here are some top tips for dentists when it comes to preparing for future finances. Read more

Christie & Co reports shift towards more vibrant and competitive market landscape in its Dental Market Review 2024

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has launched its Dental Market Review 2024 report, which offers a panoramic view of the UK dental business sector, spotlighting important areas, including sector ownership structures, evolving market dynamics, current pricing patterns, an assessment of the current appetite of banks to lend within the sector, and… Read more

Profits increase for NHS, mixed and private dentists in Scotland

The period of 2022-23 saw increased profitability for NHS, mixed and private practices in Scotland, new statistics indicate. Read more

NHS choice exercise: considering moving your pension scheme benefits?

Stephen Barry explains the recent choice exercise provided by the NHS, prompting some of its pension scheme members to review their choice of pension section. Read more

14,000 dentists and doctors face tough pension decisions due to age discrimination remedy

As many as 14,000 dentists, GPs and hospital doctors could face a difficult decision and significant costs around rejoining the NHS Pension Scheme (NHSPS) for the period when they opted-out, as part of the ‘McCloud – age discrimination’ pension remediation process, government data reveals. Read more

NASDAL Annual Benchmarking Statistics – Associate profits up by almost 7%

Today has seen NASDAL (National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) launch its annual Benchmarking Report during a press conference at BDA headquarters in London for the financial period, 2022-23. The eagerly awaited figures have shown: Read more

March Budget 2024 – what does it mean for dentistry?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced the budget for 2024 – here’s everything that dental professionals need to know. Read more

Middle income earners ‘struggling’ despite salaries of up to £60,000, says report

Middle income earners who bring in between £30,000 and £60,000 a year are struggling financially, according to a new report. Read more

Are you a retired or planning-to-retire dentist?

A pilot survey aimed at retired and planning-to-retire UK dentists has been launched – and your input is needed. If you are a dentist who has retired in the last 10 years, or are thinking of retirement in the next five years, then the research team would like to hear… Read more

Christie & Co Business Outlook 2024 reveals increasing positivity among practice owners

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has today launched its Business Outlook 2024 report which reflects on the themes, activity and challenges of 2023 and forecasts what 2024 might bring across the industries in which Christie & Co operates in, including in the dental sector. Read more

Latest NASDAL Survey results – goodwill on the slide?

This week has seen the release of the latest statistics from NASDAL (National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) in its quarterly Goodwill Survey. This survey covers the quarter ending 31st July 2023 and includes data on valuations as well as deals completed (i.e., practices bought or sold by… Read more

Demand remains for private and mixed UK dental practices, report finds

Demand remains for private and mixed practices across the UK – while the economic environment is leading to changing corporate portfolios. This is according to the Dental Market Review 2023 by Christie & Co. Read more

Interest rates held at 5.25% – what does this mean for dentistry?

The Bank of England has announced that there will be no change to interest rates – but what does this mean for dentistry? Revealed today, interest rates will be left unchanged at 5.25%. This comes after a majority vote of 5-4 by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)… Read more

Sensible pricing – NASDAL Goodwill Survey results

Avoiding pension pitfalls this National Pension Awareness Week

Magdelena Harding, Specialist Financial Advisor for Wesleyan Financial Services, speaks about the importance of a pension for dental professionals and the key pitfalls to look out for. Read more

Dentistry and the cost of living crisis – views from the profession

We hear from three dentists about the impact of the cost of living crisis and how it is – or isn’t – affecting their patients and their treatment choices. Read more

“Not the whole story” – Survey Shows Rise in Dental Earnings

The annual NASDAL benchmarking report is often held up as a health check on the profession’s financial well-being, and at first sight the latest report looks promising. But there are suggestions that the headline figures may not tell whole story. Despite this their latest figures were quoted by the Chief Dental Officer for… Read more

‘Maybe I’ll stay longer’: older NHS staff weigh up Hunt’s pension rule changes

While some feel ending £1m savings tax cap gives them more options, others say it is not enough to make them work until 67 Read more

What does the new budget mean for dentistry?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has revealed his spring budget – but what does it all mean for dental professionals and their finances? Read more

NASDAL Goodwill Survey – A market returning to normality

This week saw the release of the latest statistics from the NASDAL (National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) Goodwill Survey. This survey covers the quarter ending October 31, 2022, and includes data on valuations as well as deals completed (i.e., practices bought or sold by NASDAL members’ clients… Read more

Dentists ‘growing more optimistic’ over NHS contract reforms

Around 70% of the dental profession still expects profits to grow this year, with goodwill values remaining high. This is according to the Lloyds Bank Healthcare Confidence Index. Read more

October Emergency Statement: What does it mean for dentists?

This emergency statement came out of the blue on Monday morning as the new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sought to reassure financial markets after the panic prompted by his predecessor’s mini-budget. Read more

Practice values plunge

Dental practice prices have appeared to be only capable of going one way. Prices of practices being sold, had been not just holding up but increasing, despite the effects of lockdowns and the added challenges of delivering dentistry since reopening. Read more

Mini-budget – what does it mean for dentistry and healthcare?

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has revealed a number of measures to help tackle the cost of living crisis in his first mini-budget. With tax cuts amounting to £45 billion, this comes as the Bank of England increased interest rates to 2.25% yesterday, adding that the UK was already in a recession. Read more

Kwarteng’s booked an emergency appointment for the economy

As the sun sets on the State Funeral and people returned to their workplaces, schools, clubs and social groups, the small talk was inevitably about how moving the previous 24 hours had been and yes, how brilliant the UK is at executing such events. Nobody, it seems, does it quite… Read more

Scotland: Pension issues add pressure to workforce

Many dentists in Scotland are unaware when their pension contributions breach annual and lifetime allowance limits, resulting in tax charges. We examine the importance of proactively requesting pension statements and being aware of the charges. Read more

Last quarter marks significant increase in private practice goodwill

All types of practice have seen an increase in goodwill as a percentage of fee income in the last quarter. This is according to the latest findings from the NASDAL Goodwill Survey. Read more

Is there a trending decline in the value of NHS practices?

Iain Stevenson, head of dental at Wesleyan Financial Services, explores the recently reported drop in NHS practice goodwill valuations and speaks to Chris Strevens from Frank Taylor & Associates for the predictions on future sale value. Read more

Autumn Budget 2021 – what impact will it have on dentistry?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak yesterday revealed fresh economic plans for the UK, with £5.9 billion set aside to alleviate NHS backlogs. The huge sum sparked conversations among the profession over whether a chunk will be earmarked for dentistry. A number of other financial measures, however, were announced – many of which will… Read more

NASDAL Sees Normality Returning To Dentistry, While Ross Brooke Advises Incorporation Caution

There are signs of ‘normality’ returning to the business of dentistry according to the results of a newly-released survey. The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers’ quarterly Goodwill Survey has suggested there are big jumps in the valuations of dental practices and ‘deals completed.’ NASDAL said “In terms of deals… Read more

Medenta appoints V-12 Retail Finance as new broker

Medenta Finance has appointed a new broker to its panel following a surge in demand for dental patient finance. Following a significant increase in the number of requests for finance since the turn of the year, the company has appointed V12 Retail Finance as a broker on its panel of… Read more

NASDAL’S Verdict On The Pandemic Not All Gloom

The coronavirus pandemic didn’t bring all gloom to dentistry according to NASDAL’s ‘State of the Nation’ press conference. The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers has said that against what many may have expected, the latest period showed very little reduction in practice values due to the pandemic. Read more

London worst affected by lockdown dentist closures

New data released by the NHS has revealed the impact of lockdown-enforced dentist closures in England, with patients in London worst affected as available appointments plummeted to 21 per cent less than 2019. Almost a year on from the initial government-enforced national lockdown, the NHS has released figures which highlight… Read more

NHS Calls For Pay Concerns To Be Aired

NHS dental associates who haven’t been paid fully during the pandemic are being encouraged to give voice to their pay concerns. NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) has launched a new pay concerns year-end form on behalf of NHS England and NHS Improvement. The BSA has said “The expectation from NHS England and NHS Improvement… Read more

Uber Decision – Dental Associates Not Affected

Fears that the Supreme Court’s ruling that Uber drivers must be treated as workers rather than self-employed would have an effect on the tax status of dental associates, have been allayed. The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL) has now released its opinion on the Supreme Court decision. In the… Read more

Hospital and community dentists to receive pay rise for ‘vital’ COVID-19 work

The pay rise will be backdated to 1st April 2020 and is in recognition of their 'vital contribution' during COVID-19. The pay rise was welcomed by the BDA, but they also said that more needs to be done to sustain the ‘long term integrity of the service’. Read more

Dental practice values rise for sixth quarter in a row, to 159% of gross fees

The value of dental practices has risen for the sixth quarter in a row, NASDAL figures show. Goodwill rose to 159% of gross fees in the quarter up to January, compared to 157% in the previous quarter. The rise mainly comes from a jump in private practice values. Read more

The BDA urges the FCA to consider dentists concerns

The BDA has asked the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to consider the plight of dentists in its legal process to assess the validity of business interruption insurance policies. The FCA is currently seeking "legal clarity" on business interruption insurance. Read more

One in two dentists say financial worries are affecting mental health

Fifty-three per cent of dentists say that financial worries are having the biggest impact on their mental health in the face of COVID-19. That’s according to a survey by Dental Protection which also showed that almost 40% have concerns about a shortage of PPE. Read more