Profits rising at private dental practices

Profits at UK private dental practices increased for the first time since 2007/08 in 2012/13, according to new research.

The study – conducted by Humphrey and Co, a member firm of the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL) – assessed the revenues of 600 practices across the country, comprising 650 principals and 600 associates.

For an NHS practice, net profit per principal stood at £125,958 for 2012/13, while this figure was up to £124,086 for a private practice. The gap between the two figures has narrowed because private dentists saw their revenues rise as NHS gains dropped.

Higher expenses have affected practices in both sectors, but private organisations have proved better capable to adapt, the report suggests.

Nick Ledingham, chairman of the NASDAL, said: "Private practices have flexibility over the work they carry out and the patients they see, so they can absorb any increase in costs. NHS practices have no control over activity levels or prices."