For dental practices interest rates influence everything from loan affordability, equipment financing, practice acquisitions, cash flow and working capital, recruitment and staff retention budgets.  

With inflation easing and the economy slowing, the Bank of England has acted to support business resilience and dentistry stands to benefit. 

Here’s what today’s decision means for your practice… 

Improved conditions for buying a dental practice  

The dental market has remained resilient, but higher interest rates have slowed some buyers. If you’re exploring acquiring a practice or expanding your portfolio, banks are offering highly competitive terms making now an ideal time to explore a practice purchase.  

Sellers are seeing improved buyer demand 

With borrowing becoming more affordable, demand for practices increases meaning potential for stronger valuations.  If you’re considering a sale in the next 12–36 months, this shift could positively influence the timing and attractiveness of your exit. 

Cash flow relief for practices under pressure 

Many dental practices have faced rising wage costs, increased lab bills, and higher utilities of late. Lower loan repayments help ease monthly pressures so if your practice carries variable-rate borrowing the interest rate cut may provide immediate cash flow improvement.

Better conditions for refinancing 

This could be an ideal time to explore refinancing your practice purchase loan. You could unlock significant savings and improve your financial position. 

Impact on recruitment, retention and associate pay 

While interest rates aren’t the only factor affecting staffing, lower borrowing costs can free up capital to increase support staff pay, incentivise associate retention, recruit additional clinicians to maximise chair time or invest in training and development. 

At a time when recruitment challenges continue across the sector, any financial relief can support workforce planning. 

What to do next  

• Revisit your 2026 financial projections – today’s cut should prompt a review of cash flow forecasts, capital expenditure plans, expansion strategies and debt servicing expectations. 

• Consider reviewing your existing practice purchase loan to potentially capitalise on substantial savings. 

• Explore whether to fix or remain variable – with markets expecting gradual rate reductions throughout 2026, it may be preferable to stay flexible but every practice’s situation is unique.
• Speak to us about your circumstances.   

Whether you’re aiming to expand, modernise your clinic, or simply strengthen your financial resilience, today’s decision provides a more favourable environment as we head into the new year.  

To discuss your individual circumstances, book a call with one of our financial consultants today.  

If you’re considering selling, discover your practice’s true market value by booking a valuation with one of our experts. If the recent changes have made you think about buying, view our range of practices for sale or register as a buyer and we’ll guide you through every step.

The post Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates: What today’s decision means for dental practice owners appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

We’ve partnered with UNW, a leading national advisory team acting for over 500 dentists across the UK to host a Q&A for dentists. The live session provided an overview of the Autumn Budget in relation to dental practice owners or anyone looking to purchase or sell a dental practice followed by answers to their most frequently asked questions including:

• Impact of Tax Changes on Dentists
• National Minimum Wage Increases
• Dental Practice Sales and Valuations
• Tax Efficiency Strategies for Investments
• Future Planning and Budgeting and more…

Watch the 2025 Autumn Budget Q&A for dentists

The live session hosted by Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales and delivered by Mike Blenkharn was recorded on 2 December 2025 for dentists to watch on demand here

Download your guide

UNW has compiled an Autumn Budget summary which includes changes announced during the Budget, and measures previously announced. The guide provides a summary of changes relating to personal tax, employment, business, capital taxes, inheritance tax and other matters. Download your copy today

Questions?

If you’re considering selling or buying a dental practice, or need to refinance, chat to one of our experts by contacting us here.

For expert specialist advice and bespoke tax planning, contact the UNW Tax partners

The post Autumn Budget 2025: What does it mean for buying or selling a dental practice? [Free Guide] appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Our Financial Consultant Zoe Forde explains the potential benefits of 100% funding if you’re an Associate considering buying your first dental practice…

100% funding enables you to protect your personal assets

100% lending provides the freedom to invest in the practice which perhaps would not have been achievable.  Some buyers may have strong cash reserves yet prefer 100% lending to preserve their liquidity and maintain financial flexibility. The great news is that 100% finance options are often available and, in many cases, do not require security against personal property.

“Lloyds has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting clients in a competitive market with ongoing reviews of its credit policies. Following valuable feedback from the broker network, the NACFB Patron’s business development team has introduced key enhancements to Lloyds’ dental lending policy. The updates include an extended goodwill lending term of up to 20 years, improving affordability and flexibility for borrowers. LTV ratios have also been increased to 100% for single practices, up to 90% for two to four practices, and case-dependent terms for five or more practices, subject to overall proposition strength.” Lloyds, Press Release  

Lower deposit requirements enable you to step into ownership sooner

Many clinicians struggle to accumulate large savings due to years of investment in education and training. Traditional deposit requirements have long been a barrier to ownership, so full lending removes this obstacle, enabling you to step into ownership earlier.

Acting quickly in a fast-moving market as a first-time buyer

With practice prices rising and competition intensifying, agility is everything. 100% funding allows you to act decisively when the right practice becomes available particularly in competitive sales where speed and certainty are crucial.

With a major lender now offering 100% lending and lower loan-to-value ratios, it’s a clear sign the dental sector remains a stable and low-risk sector, with predictable income streams and strong historical repayment performance. The banks are currently competing with one another on policy as they are all keen to lend in the healthcare sector – specifically dental. This means it’s a great time to buy.

Key reasons to consider buying now:

• 100% lending for first time purchasers
• Longer terms of up to 20 years on Goodwill
• Zero-fee lending options are available through select banks
• Rates as low as 1.45% above Bank of England base rate
• Health care lenders more competitive than ever

Ready to see what you can borrow?

For more information about funding your practice purchase, or to refinance your existing loan, chat to our practice finance team on 01332 609 318 or book a confidential online consultation by clicking the below.

The post 100% funding now available to buy a dental practice appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Thinking about buying a dental practice in the next year or two? Whether you’re preparing now or just starting to explore your options, this webinar will give you essential insights to help you make informed, confident decisions about practice ownership.

Hosted by James Martin (DentistWhoInvest) with expert speakers Maja Thompson (Director of Practice Services, Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales) and Kimberley Parker (Business Manager, Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales), this exclusive session walks you through everything you need to know about buying a dental practice in today’s fast-changing market.

Watch this webinar on-demand!

What you’ll learn:

• The sale process explained – from agreeing a deal to completion
• Legal and financial due diligence – what’s really involved and how to avoid delays
• Property considerations – freehold vs leasehold and what you need to decide early
• CQC registration and NHS contracts – understanding transfer timelines and requirements
• Financing your purchase – what lenders look for and how to get prepared

Why watch?

Buying a practice is one of the biggest professional and financial steps you’ll ever take. Understanding the process and preparing early could save you time, money, and stress.

We have more than 6000 buyers registered with us, and have marketed £640m worth of practices in the last five years alone. Our experts are here to share their knowledge to help you plan your future.

This webinar could be the edge you need to secure the right opportunity.

Watch the Buying a Dental Practice – Everything You Need to Know Webinar on-demand here

The live session was delivered by Maja Thompson, Director of Henry Schein Practice Services UK & Ireland, and Kimberley Parker, Business Manager at Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales, was hosted by James Martin at Dentists Who Invest and was recorded on 10th September 2025 for dental associates to watch on demand here

Questions?

If you’re considering selling or buying a dental practice, or need to refinance, chat to one of our experts by contacting us here.

The post On-Demand Webinar: Buying a Dental Practice – Everything you need to know appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Maja Thompson, Director of Henry Schein Dental Practice Services said:

“A reduction in interest rates is good news for all of us as consumers, mortgage holders, anybody servicing a debt, but especially for buyers looking to buy a first or next practice. Bank lending rates have already started to come down this year from the recent highs, and lending appetite is returning. Any reduction in rates is good news for buyers as it makes their purchase, if bank funded, more affordable in the long run.

This is also a good time to reassess financing needs for practice owners as they may have bought or refinanced their practice while rates were high. All in all, it is good news for borrowers!”

Next steps

If you’re considering selling, discover your practice’s true market value by booking a valuation with one of our experts. If the recent changes have made you think about buying, view our range of practices for sale or register as a buyer and we’ll guide you through every step.

The post Interest Rates Cut – what does this mean for buying and selling a dental practice? appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

And more!

Watch the Anatomy of a Sale Transaction webinar here

The live session was delivered by Ray Goodman Partner at Acuity Law and Manjit Jutla, a mergers and acquisitions expert at Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales, was recorded on 13 May 2025 for dental practice owners to watch on demand here

Questions?

If you’re considering selling or buying a dental practice, or need to refinance, chat to one of our experts by contacting us here.

The post On-Demand Webinar: Anatomy of a Sale Transaction appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Here are some things to consider when it comes to buying a practice with an NHS element: 

Banks are very keen to lend on NHS practices
Part of this is due to the stability of the income. As an owner of an NHS dental practice, you know what’s coming into the practice every month and you know how much money you have available to pay your associates and work with. Essentially the NHS contract can cover your overheads, allowing you to offer complementary private dental treatments to drive profitability.   

UDA rates can vary in profitability
Since the NHS contract reform, there is a vast disparity in UDA rates paid to practices; for practices with a minimum UDA value, it is becoming more challenging to maintain profitability whereas practices with higher UDA rates generally remain profitable; careful selection when purchasing a practice is therefore key!

With a higher UDA rate, practice owners can respond to the higher UDA values being commanded by associate dentists, aiding associate retention. It is worth considering that with less providers willing to deliver NHS dentistry, some practices have successfully negotiated increased contract values. 

Staff retention
More associates are looking to work on a part-time basis so delivering a contract with a substantial number of UDAs can be difficult. Associates generally prefer to work with private patients rather than NHS which is driving a competitive market for NHS dentists. This means practices are having to pay substantially more per UDA to associates than even 12-18 months ago. 

Practices in urban areas can be more profitable
A dental practice in an urban area is often less affected by UDA rates than their rural or costal counterparts largely due to a greater availability of associate dentists willing to undertake UDAs. The availability offers an allocation of fewer UDAs across a broader clinical team, allowing Associates to provide a mix of treatments and increase job satisfaction 

Annual uplifts
The annual uplift in NHS contracts can help practices off-set rising costs such as the annual increase in National Minimum Wage for support staff; particularly in the last couple of years where practices have been awarded higher annual uplifts due to the high inflationary pressures. NHS dentistry also provides partial protection against the economic climate.  

Value of NHS Practices
Despite the turbulence associated with NHS dentistry over the last few years, there is a continued premium for NHS dental goodwill, with both independent and corporate buyers still valuing the security an NHS contract brings. 

Register as a buyer  

Whether it’s your first or twentieth practice, our expert consultants are here to guide you through every step of the way of buying a dental practice. 

We offer three buying tiers with a range of benefits: 

1. General Market Buyers – benefit from no membership fees, alerts to new practices to market, buyer-seller viewings arranged and access to Henry Schein Financial Services for practice funding 
2. Priority Tier Buyers – enjoy all the benefits of a general market buyer plus early access to practice particulars, priority viewing slots and opportunity to secure purchase opportunities before they reach the open market 
3. Premier Tier Buyers – enjoy all the benefits of a Priority Tier Buyer plus closed-market buying pool, opportunity to secure larger practices suited to corporate ownership, fast-tracked practice marketing documents, opportunity to purchase practice groups and an account manager offering a network of Henry Schein Services 

Register as a buyer or update your buyer requirements here 

The post Should I consider buying an NHS dental practice?  appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Key Findings from the Survey:

• NHS Goodwill: Values surged to 175% of gross fees, up from 129% in the previous quarter.
• Private Practices: These saw a rise from 111% to 143% of gross fees.
• Mixed Practices: After facing challenges in recent times, mixed practice goodwill values rose from 107% to 154%.

What Does This Mean for the Market?

Mike Blenkharn, Partner and Head of Dental at UNW LLP, who compiled the survey, highlighted that these impressive figures signal a return of confidence in the market. However, he also cautioned that these numbers reflect deals initiated in 2023 and early 2024 when activity in the market was exceptionally high. While the market remains strong, he warned there may be a slight pullback in the next quarter.

Remember however, the survey’s figures are influenced by a time lag of 9 to 12 months, meaning that these statistics are based on deals that were initiated before a series of events that have affected practice sales.

These positive figures suggest that the dental practice sales market is currently buoyant, and interest in practice acquisitions is strong. However, market dynamics could shift due to factors like interest rate changes and political uncertainty, making it crucial for stakeholders to remain agile in their decision-making.

Alison Bates, who heads up our valuations team said:

“We have felt the momentum with the market for the last 6 months and it is really reassuring to see the official NASDAL report confirming the return to a buoyant practice sales market. The rise in average goodwill values will ensure a great return on investment regardless of practice type and for those Principals who have put off selling their practices due to the wider economy and high interest rates, now is a great time to take that step towards a sale with both independent and corporate buyers keen to purchase.”

Get an up-to-date valuation to help realise the potential in your practice

An expert practice valuation can highlight the areas you need to act on to realise the profit in your practice and get the best price when the time comes to selling. Valuing helps you make a more informed decision of when to sell and can helps set realistic expectations for what your practice may be worth, the likely buyer type and any post-sale obligations you may face.

Book a valuation here or contact us to have a confidential chat about your dental practice.

The post A Buoyant Market: NASDAL’s Latest Goodwill Survey Results for Q3 2024 appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

Why is EBITDA important for practice owners?

We use EBITDA to measure the profitability of dental practices, as it removes factors that might vary widely from practice to practice, like debt levels and travel expenses. So, EBITDA is useful for understanding how well a company is performing at its core, without the noise of other financial factors.

The EBITDA figure plays a significant role in determining the value of a dental practice, and maximising this figure is key to achieving the highest possible sale price. For sellers, carefully managing costs and maintaining a strong EBITDA margin is essential for preserving value.

Why is EBITDA important when looking to buy a dental practice?

For buyers, EBITDA serves as a valuable benchmark, offering insight into the profitability of the practice. As agents, we believe it provides a useful indication of the potential take-home profit after all expenses are covered, excluding any necessary bank loans.

Get an up-to-date valuation to help realise the potential in your practice

An expert practice valuation can highlight the areas you need to act on to realise the profit in your practice and get the best price when the time comes to selling. Valuing helps you make a more informed decision of when to sell and can helps set realistic expectations for what your practice may be worth, the likely buyer type and any post-sale obligations you may face.

Book a valuation here or contact us to have a confidential chat about your dental practice.

The post EBITDA – What Does It Mean, and Why Is It So Important? appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

• Are practices reducing the associate split to counter the increase in costs?
• How do you calculate the nurse hour v clinician hour ratio?
• What formula do you use for hygienist recharge with Associates?
• Does it make sense to increase pension contributions to the max £60K as a ltd company?
• If it is possible to know new percentages for NASDAL / expected costs on average, what most practices are doing in increasing fees or restructuring?
• Any process automation ideas that are financially proven to help reduce costs rather than distract and add complexity
• Can an NHS Dental contract be sold independently and how?

And more!

Watch the How to Mitigate Rising Costs webinar here

The live session was delivered by Mike Blenkharn Partner and Head of Dental at UNW LLP and Alison Bates, an expert in dental practice valuations at Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales, was recorded on 27 February 2025 for dental practice owners to watch on demand here

Download your guide

UNW has compiled an Autumn Budget summary which includes changes announced during the Autumn Budget, and measures previously announced, but only coming into effect from April 2025 or later. The guide provides a summary of changes relating to personal tax, employment, business, capital taxes, inheritance tax and other matters. Download your copy today

Get expert help to mitigate rising costs and protect your profit

By acting now, you can protect the profitability of your practice which is the most important measure when it comes to valuing your practice when you come to sell. Book a valuation here or request a call back from one of our experts to see how we can help.

For expert specialist advice and bespoke tax planning, contact the UNW Tax partners

The post On-Demand Webinar: How to Mitigate the Rising Costs of Owning a Dental Practice in 2025 appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.