The landscape of dentistry in the UK has seen many NHS dentists finding themselves in a challenging position; many feel unsupported and are feeling the strain of a fractured system. With increasing patient demands, limited resources, and the recruitment of associates proving difficult, along with capped earnings, it’s no wonder more and more principal dentists are making the career-changing decision to transition their practice from NHS to private dentistry.
The decision to shift to private practice can initially seem daunting. However, when weighed against the current state of NHS dentistry, it’s a decision that has proven to be life-changing for many dentists, professionally and personally.
Why Make The Move?
It’s ever more apparent that significant improvements in NHS dental services are still being determined. Recent years have shown that these issues haven’t been addressed appropriately despite public outcry for better dental care and funding. The current system leaves many dentists feeling overworked and underappreciated.
Private dentistry, on the other hand, offers a more sustainable, rewarding, and financially secure future that is under your control. Making the move allows dentists to reclaim their work-life balance, patient care standards, and earning potential. Transitioning to private dentistry means you can spend more time with each patient, providing higher-quality care and building lasting relationships—free from the rushed, high-volume pressures of the NHS.
Benefits of Private Dentistry
Improved work-life balance
Private practice allows you to set your working hours and determine how many patients you see daily—no more back-to-back appointments with limited time to give patients the care they deserve.
Increased earnings potential
One of the major limitations in NHS dentistry is capped earnings. In private practice, you can set your fees and build a more profitable business, charging fees aligned to a skillset you’ve worked hard to obtain.
Enhanced patient care
Private dentistry lets you focus on patient-centric care without the constraints of strict NHS guidelines. You can offer a broader range of treatments, use advanced technology, and spend more time ensuring your patients feel comfortable and informed.
Professional growth
Moving to private practice encourages innovation. You’ll have the opportunity to explore new treatments and invest in better technology to enhance your patient service.
Partnering for Success: Why a Private Dental Plan Matters
Transitioning to private dentistry is a big step, but it can be incredibly successful with the proper support. Partnering with a plan provider like Patient Plan Direct helps make the move smoother. Unlike the NHS, which often limits branding opportunities, at Patient Plan Direct, we can work with you to enhance and promote your practice’s brand. After all, it’s your business that you’ve worked extremely hard to set up. Your company should be recognised.
A tailored dental plan allows your patients to access high-quality care at an affordable rate while giving you consistent monthly revenue. More importantly, you are setting the foundation for long-term success by aligning with a plan provider that embraces your vision and knows, due to decades of collective team experience and the right industry connections, how to help you get to where you want to be.
A Decision You Won’t Regret
The overwhelming feedback for principal dentists who have moved to private practice is that it was their best decision. If you are ready to take control of your career and embrace the benefits of private dentistry, you don’t need to enter this change alone. By partnering with a forward-thinking plan provider like Patient Plan Direct, your transition will be smoother and set you up for a successful, profitable future.
Helpful Resources
We understand that transitioning your dental practice is a significant decision. We’ve compiled the following resources on our website to support you in that decision process:
- Video Diary: Converting from NHS to Private Dentistry. Watch the journey of an NHS practice transitioning to private dentist
- Unlocking Opportunities in NHS Patient Enquiries. Discover how to effectively turn NHS patient enquiries into opportunities for growth.
- Life Beyond the NHS: Transitioning to Private Practice: Hear from Practice Manager Deborah Litherland-Smith, who shares her experience transitioning to private.
Making this shift isn’t just about improving your career but your entire quality of life. So get in touch today, and we’ll advise you on your potential transition to private practice.