Dental Practices For Sale Or Purchase

The regulatory framework around dentistry means that buying or selling a dental practice is quite different to buying and selling a business of any other type.

At Else Solicitors, we have a wealth of experience in acting for dentists who are looking to either sell their existing practice or acquire a new practice. There are several factors which, if addressed at the initial stages, can ensure a transaction proceeds swiftly and smoothly.

We have particular experience in overcoming complications where dentists have set up an expense sharing partnership, and one partner wants to retire before the other(s).

In the case of an NHS practice, the transfer of the GDS contract or PDS agreement are key and serving the appropriate notices at the appropriate time will help to ensure that NHS England does not have any grounds to object to the transfer.

How Can We Help

Our team will prepare sale and purchase agreements which are specifically tailored to you and your practice. A sale and purchase agreement for any other type of business would not contain all of the safeguards and provisions required when a dental practice is being bought/sold.

A contract will also need to deal with apportioning uncompleted treatments between the buyer and the seller, restricting the seller after completion in terms of setting up another practice, contacting patients and enticing staff away to preserve the goodwill of the practice, TUPE considerations, freehold/leasehold property matters and a series of warranties and indemnities (warranties being statements about the practice that the seller is confirming are true and the buyer is relying upon when buying the practice).

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Our team is experienced in coordinating matters in terms of registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) including a seller’s cancellation of registration and the registration of the buyer in order to ensure a smooth handover. Also, if the practice has an NHS contract it is now likely that the CQC registration will have to correlate with the NHS contract. This means that if the buyer and seller are entering into partnership in order to transfer the NHS contract, the partnership must also be registered with the CQC.

To speak with a member of the dental law team in relation to buying or selling a practice, please call 01283 526200, alternatively you can send us a message and we will get in touch at a time that suits you.

GDS Contracts & PDS Agreements

There are currently two types of contract for NHS dentists, the General Dental Services (GDS) contract and the Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement.

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Incorporating Your Dental Practice

Many dentists choose to incorporate their practice. This means that instead of operating as sole traders or partnerships, the practice is run by a company – a separate legal entity with limited liability.

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Employment Contract & HR Policies

Every practice needs to ensure that its contracts, staff handbooks, policies and procedures are up to date and legally compliant.

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Hygienist & Therapist Contracts

Dentists, their associates and their hygienists should always formalise their working relationship in a written agreement.

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Associate Agreements

If you invite an associate dentist to join your practice – even if they are a friend or colleague you have known over many years – it is important to have a written contract in place.

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Expense Sharing Agreements

Some dentists opt for a formal expense sharing agreement as an alternative to drawing up a traditional partnership.

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Partnership Agreements

Our specialist dental team at Else Solicitors is experienced in all legal aspects of owning, running, managing and working in a dental practice.

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Dental Practices For Sale Or Purchase

The regulatory framework around dentistry means that buying or selling a dental practice is quite different to buying and selling a business of any other type.

Learn More

Experience in handling a variety of matters.

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Adam Gilbert

Partner - Head of Corporate & Commercial

Greg gained his expertise working for a large regional law firm providing legal services to financial institutions, universities and a group of engineering and construction consultants.

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Greg Bullock

Associate - Dental, Corporate & Commercial

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How can we help?

Get in touch.

At Else, we pride ourselves on having experience in dealing with a wide range of specialist services.

Our team always strive to find the most practical, timely, and cost-effective solution for our clients.

We will use the full range of options available to us; from mediation and negotiation to court action at whatever level is appropriate.

To speak to one of our trusted professionals contact us on 01283 526200. Alternatively, you can send us a message and we will get in touch at a time that suits you.

Legally Speaking

``As I live in london I had to deal with Else Solicitors from afar, however I always found them to be helpful, efficient and approachable. The service I received from the solicitor I was dealing with was friendly, personal and I always felt that they were prepared to go the extra mile to fight my corner for me.``

Anthony Stellman Dental Surgeon