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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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Exclusively for BDA members

Dental market insight report 2026

Dentists working in general practice - be they associates, practice owners and partners, or running practices on behalf of larger groups - are uniquely exposed to changes in the economy. Our report is essential reading for anyone interested in how the current political and economic context affects general dental practice in the UK.
Read the report
BDA member exclusive

UDA contract changes: Support for practice owners

Advice, courses and other resources to help you navigate the changes to the UDA contract with confidence and clarity. Exclusively for BDA members.
Access support
UDA contract changes: Information for practice owners
for expert members

Downloads for your dental practice

Expert members have access to our popular library of audits, checklists, and templates - giving you a head start in running a safe, compliant and successful practice.
Find out more
A female dental practice owner smiling into the camera

Recently updated

Advice

NHS dentistry in England

NHS dentistry in England: Contracts, charges, and payments

Guidance on how NHS dental services are commissioned and funded in England, including the structure of the General Dental Services (GDS) contract and Personal Dental Services (PDS) agreement.

Advice

Pay, leave and rewards

Managing associate parental leave and pay in your dental practice

Guidance for practice owners on managing associate parental leave and pay, including legal considerations, financial arrangements, and maintaining continuity of patient care.

Advice

Business management

Incorporation in Scotland

This advice applies to dentists and practice who have or are planning to incorporate and work in Scotland.

Advice

Business management

Incorporation in Northern Ireland

This advice applies to dentists and practices who have or are planning to incorporate and work in Northern Ireland.

Advice

NHS dentistry in England

Resolving NHS dental contract disputes in England

Guidance for dental contractors on resolving disputes over the terms of the General Dental Services (GDS) Contracts and Personal Dental Services (PDS) Agreements in England.

Advice

Employing staff

Recruiting dental staff: Identifying the vacancy, and advertising

This advice describes best practice in advertising for new staff.

Advice

Employing staff

Recruiting staff: Welcoming a new employee and the probationary period

Starting a new role can be a daunting experience. This advice page provides a clear and practical overview of how you can welcome staff effectively while meeting your legal and professional responsibilities.

Advice

Employing staff

Recruiting staff: Shortlisting, interviewing and selection

This advice describes best practice in interviewing and selecting new staff members.

Advice

Employing staff

Recruiting staff: Pre-employment checks

This advice describes the requirement to ensure staff are suited and safe to perform their newly appointed roles.

Advice

Clinical compliance

Sustainability in your dental practice

An introduction to sustainability for dental practices, and how you can reduce your environmental impact.

Advice

Data and privacy

Using artificial intelligence (AI) in dental practice

Guidance for dental practices on the responsible use of AI, outlining regulatory expectations, data protection risks and the limitations of AI-generated advice.

Advice

NHS dentistry in England

Accepting and treating NHS dental patients

Guidance on the rules and responsibilities that apply when accepting and treating NHS dental patients, including communication, treatment planning, charging, referrals, and managing missed appointments.

Related events

Event

Business essentials - Jan and Feb 2027

Delivered over two days, Friday 22 January and Friday 26 February, this interactive workshop explores proven commercial techniques that can be applied to a dental business to achieve better financial results and drive profitability.

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.

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