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There's a lot involved in delivering the business of dentistry, whether you're in NHS, mixed or private practice. In this section you will find the expert advice and support you need to make your business a success.

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BDA member exclusive

Webinar recording: Understand the UDA contract

A recording of our 17 March event which summarised the changes to the UDA contract in England and discussed the impacts for practice owners.
Watch the recording
UDA contract changes: Information for practice owners

Recently updated

Advice

Associate contracts

Understanding the licence fee in associate agreements

The licence fee is a longstanding feature of the BDA Associate Contract and other model associate agreements, yet it is often misunderstood. Our advice clearly explains what a licence fee is, and how it should be interpreted in associate agreements.

Advice

Associate contracts

BDA Associate Contract (NHS and mixed in England): Guide for practice owners

Advice on our model Associate Contract and how to use it when updating your associate agreements in light of the 2026 NHS contract changes in England.

Advice

Associateships

A quick guide to working as an associate

This advice gives an overview of working as a dental associate.

Advice

NHS contracts and tendering

Managing NHS unscheduled care activity in England

The unscheduled care mandate in NHS dentistry in England will introduce significant changes to how urgent and unplanned care is delivered and funded from April 2026.

Advice

NHS contracts and tendering

Terminating your NHS dental contract in England

Advice on what to do if you are considering terminating your NHS dental contract in England.

Advice

Private practice

Transitioning to private practice in England and Wales

What to do and when, if you're considering moving to private practice

Advice

Private practice

Establishing a private dental practice

Establishing a private dental practice involves key considerations. We set out the foundations that help set you up for success.

Advice

Associate contracts

Associate agreements: What practices should consider

There are considerations practice owners need to make before drafting an associate agreement. We outline the common factors that can impact on the working relationship between a practice and associates.

Advice

Business management

Dentists' legal rights as commercial purchasers

Learn more about the contracts dental practices make with other businesses, suppliers, and tradespeople, including advice on contract law and rights as a commercial buyer.

Advice

Business finances

Tax

A basic overview of your various possible tax obligations in the dental practice, including guidance around the government’s 2026 Making Tax Digital initiative.

Advice

NHS contracts and tendering

Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme payments

Guidance on a practical way for practices and associates to approach the Urgent Dental Care Incentive Scheme, suggesting a fair method for distributing any additional income earned through urgent care activity.

Advice

Managing and informing patients

Managing abusive patients

Abuse from patients is a growing concern for dental professionals. Protocols differ between NHS and private care, and across UK nations; however, one principle is clear: no dental team member should face abuse.

For associates and practice owners

Updated UDA value checker

Understanding the financial details of England's NHS dental contract can be challenging, even for experienced professionals. Our exclusive UDA value checking tool helps members compare their practice to local and national averages, supporting confident and informed choices.
Find out more and download

Related events

Event

Making Tax Digital in April (webinar recording)

Free for members: A recording of a webinar that took place on Wednesday 14 January. Arun Mehra helped UK dentists understand and get ready for the upcoming changes under Making Tax Digital, commencing in April 2026.

Event

Mastering patient communication

The toolkit every dental professional needs but was never taught! Join us for a workshop in London on Friday 17 April and gain skills you can implement immediately to improve patient experience and reduce complaints, whilst boosting practice success, team morale and wellbeing.

Event

Business essentials - May and June 2026

Delivered over two days, Friday 8 May and Friday 26 June, this interactive workshop explores proven commercial techniques that can be applied to a dental business to achieve better financial results and drive profitability.

More business management events
For extra and expert members

Contact our NHS and business team

Alongside our online guidance, get unlimited, tailored advice by phone or email. Our team can help Extra and Expert members with all aspects of running a NHS, private or mixed practice, including NHS contract terms and variations, clawback and breach or remedial notices.
Contact us
Victoria Michell, Head of the NHS and Business team, smiling confidently towards the camera
BDA CASE STUDY

Case study: The learning curve of transitioning to private practice

How are other dentists going about transitioning from NHS to private dentistry? Learn from Rachele from Delicate Dental, who talked to us about her experience switching adult patients to private treatment.
Find out more