The Reliance

Friday 16 October 2026 UK Edition

Buying & Selling

For most owners, the practice is the single biggest asset they will ever buy or sell. This section covers the deals, valuations and transitions that shape the UK dental market — from a first practice purchase to succession, incorporation and exit.

Start here: our complete guide to buying and selling a dental practice — valuation, due diligence, the regulatory transfer, and how deals are structured.

What this section covers

Buying or selling a dental practice is a specialist transaction, shaped by NHS contracts, regulatory transfer, goodwill and the involvement of corporate buyers. Our coverage is written for owners on both sides of a deal, and for those planning years ahead. We follow:

  • Buying a practice — what to look for, due diligence, funding, and the mechanics of a purchase.
  • Selling and valuation — how UK dental practices are valued, what drives goodwill, and how to prepare a practice for sale.
  • Corporates, DSOs and M&A — consolidation, corporate buyers, and what their activity means for independent practices.
  • Succession and exit planning — associate buy-ins, partnerships, and stepping back on your own terms.
  • Incorporation and structure — the ownership and legal structures that affect a sale.

Why it matters

The value you eventually realise is decided years before a sale — by how the practice is structured, how dependent it is on you, and how cleanly its contracts and compliance stand up to scrutiny. Whether you are a first-time buyer or planning your exit, this section is here to make an unfamiliar, high-stakes process legible.

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