Changes to the base rate can affect borrowing costs, which could influence loans for practice purchases or refurbishments.

This is a great opportunity to review your current funding, as a change in the rate could open up new opportunities or even help you secure a better deal. That said, it is always wise to review your rates regularly, just as you would with your personal mortgage, to make sure you are getting the best terms for your practice.

Whether you are taking the exciting step of buying your first practice or planning for future growth, staying informed can help you make confident and well-timed financial decisions.

If you would like to explore how this could work in your favour, book a call with one of our finance consultants to review your options and ensure you’re ready for your next step.

The post Upcoming Base Rate Review – 19th March: What could it mean for your practice? appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

“A common misconception is that you only need to have your practice valued when you’re ready to sell,” begins Alison Bates, Valuations Manager for Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales. “But we need to challenge that, which is what the Practice Sale Readiness Checklist does.”

When it comes to selling your dental practice, preparation is fundamental. And with over two decades of experience in healthcare acquisitions, Alison knows this well.

“Ideally we work with practice owners at least five years before they’re ready to sell,” explains Alison. And while planning this far ahead may seem excessive, there are a few key reasons for doing so – which some dentists may at first overlook without the correct guidance.

Download the Practice Sale Readiness Checklist

Why Should I Start Thinking About My Practice Sale Now?

To Ensure Your Valuation Meets Your Expectations

If you wait until you’re ready to sell before getting a valuation, and that valuation then comes back as a lower figure than you’d hoped, you have limited time to rectify it before retirement. The Practice Sale Readiness Checklist helps to “set expectations in the right place”, according to Alison.

“At Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales, we work with you to grow your practice value and then maintain it,” she continues. “There are a lot of different suggestions that we can make which you may not have considered as a clinician. You look at your business with a dental hat on, but we look at it with a financial hat on.”

To Allow Time To Make Adjustments

“It’s not just about giving you the tools to make changes, but also the time,” explains Alison. With accounts produced annually, a change today doesn’t necessarily mean tangible results tomorrow – in fact, realistically this could take a year or more, so making appropriate changes in your practice is best done sooner rather than later.

“As an example, let’s say you’re overstaffed – this could be costing your business hundreds of thousands of pounds in terms of value. Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales can help to translate what you do on a day-to-day basis into financial performance. We’re here to provide you with information that you might not have known, and identify potential inefficiencies within your practice.”

To Fulfil Contractual Obligations

Contrary to what you might believe, it isn’t always possible to simply sell your dental practice and leave. “You can’t necessarily just sell your businesses and walk away, particularly if you have a bigger dental practice that you’re going to sell to a group or a corporate,” says Alison. “They will need the principal dentist to keep working for three to five years as an associate after they’ve sold the business.”

Because of this possibility, it is important to consider well in advance any commitments that you may potentially have to honour upon selling your practice.

“It’s comprehensive,” begins Alison, when summarising the Practice Sale Readiness Checklist. “It not only covers what to do once you’re ready to sell, like the legal process and due diligence, but also the other moving parts, like having regular valuations, how you grow, how you build, and how you prepare your practice for a sale. It’s an overview of the whole process from start to finish.”

“The Practice Sale Readiness Checklist is a comprehensive checklist of things that dental professionals don’t know they need to know – but they do need to know.”

If you’re ready to get in the know and get ahead when it comes to selling your practice.

The post Are You Prepared for Your Practice Sale? Assess your practice sale readiness [free checklist] appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

For many dental practice owners and associates, the new year brings a significant Self-Assessment tax bill. With HMRC payments due in one lump sum, cashflow can quickly become stretched – particularly if you are investing in growth, purchasing equipment, or planning a practice acquisition.

An Income Tax Loan can provide a practical solution by spreading the cost of your tax liability into manageable monthly payments.

We work closely with a trusted specialist finance provider who offers income tax funding designed to support business cashflow and reduce the risk of late payment penalties.

Enquire with our finance team today to explore suitable funding options.

Why Consider an Income Tax Loan?
In January 2025, combined receipts from Self-Assessed Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax reached an estimated £36.2 billion – the highest January total since records began in 1999. The majority of this relates to Self-Assessment income tax, which is particularly relevant to dental professionals.

Rather than using working capital or overdraft facilities to pay HMRC, income tax funding allows you to:

• Spread payments over fixed monthly instalments
• Protect practice cashflow
• Avoid late penalties and interest
• Maintain liquidity for growth and investment

For principals, partners, and high-earning associates, forward planning around tax commitments can help safeguard both business stability and future opportunities.

Fast and Straightforward Funding
Through our specialist finance partner, applications are completed online with quick decisions and funds typically available within 48 hours.

As part of our wider support across dental practice sales, valuations, and finance, we can introduce you to the right provider and help ensure the facility aligns with your broader financial plans.

If you have an upcoming Self-Assessment bill and want to protect your cashflow:

Enquire with our finance team today for a confidential discussion.

Early planning can turn a tax pressure into a structured cashflow solution.

The post Income Tax Loans for Dental Professionals: A smart way to manage self-assessment bills appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.

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.

Here’s six reasons why now is an ideal time to take the leap into dental practice ownership…

1. Positive movement in the Bank of England base rate

The Bank of England has recently reduced its base rate from 4.25% to 4% (correct as of 7 August 2025). This downward trend in interest rates is a promising sign for borrowers. A lower base rate directly impacts borrowing costs, making loans for buying dental practices more affordable. With potential further reductions on the horizon, now is an excellent time to lock in favourable financing terms.

2. Dental practices remain profitable

Despite changes in the broader economy, dental practices continue to demonstrate robust profitability. Recent budget adjustments have further reinforced the stability of this sector, ensuring that practice owners can maintain strong cash flow. This profitability supports loan affordability, giving lenders confidence in financing dental practice acquisitions.

3. Banks are eager to lend to dentists

The dental sector is recognised as a low-risk, high-reward investment by financial institutions. Banks’ appetite for lending in this space remains very positive, where our panel of banks offer tailored loan products designed specifically for dental professionals including 100% finance for first time buyers. This eagerness to lend is a testament to the sector’s resilience and potential for long-term growth.

4. Historical, and continued low lending margins

In addition to the reduced base rate, banks are offering competitive lending margins, with some as low as 1.8% above the base rate. These low margins translate to more affordable monthly payments and overall borrowing costs, enabling buyers to secure financing on highly favourable terms.

5. A stable and growing industry

The dental industry is a cornerstone of healthcare, with steady demand for services ranging from routine cleanings to advanced procedures. This demand ensures a consistent patient base and reliable revenue stream for practice owners. Moreover, the growing awareness of oral health impact on overall wellness continues to drive new patient engagement – key for buying a dental practice.

6. Build equity and secure your future

Buying a dental practice not only provides immediate financial rewards but also allows you to build equity in a valuable asset. As you repay your loan, you’re investing in a business that can grow in value and serve as a foundation of your long-term financial security.

Expert guidance at every step…

Transitioning to ownership can feel complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. We’re dedicated to helping you find the perfect dental practice and as independent advisors, we can help you explore all the lending solutions that banks and building societies offer to fit your unique needs.

Henry Schein Financial Services offers specialised support to simplify the process – you can also benefit from access to preferential rates and terms. Our team connects you with lenders who understand the unique needs of dental professionals, ensuring you’re equipped for success.

Seize the opportunity… 

With interest rates trending downward, strong profitability, and unmatched support from banks, there has never been a better time to invest in a dental practice. Owning your practice is more than a career milestone—it’s a step toward financial independence and professional fulfilment.

Ready to begin your ownership journey, or to grow your current portfolio?

Contact Henry Schein Financial Services experts today to learn how we can help you secure the future you deserve. If you’re keen to know what dental practices are for sale in a certain location or at a certain price, register as a buyer and we’ll send you details of dental practices that meet your requirements.

The post 6 Reasons Why Now is a Great Time to Buy a Dental Practice appeared first on Henry Schein Dental Practice Sales.