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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

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.
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UDA contract changes: Information for practice owners

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Advice

Business finances

Business budgeting for your dental practice

A practical guide to help you plan, set, and review an annual budget for your dental practice that supports financial stability, informed decision-making, and long-term resilience.

Advice

NHS contracts and tendering

Handing back an NHS contract in Wales: Key considerations for practice owners

Guidance for practice owners in Wales on the practical, financial, and contractual considerations involved in handing back an NHS contract, and the steps required to manage the process.

Advice

Associate contracts

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

Advice on our model Associate Contract and how to use it when updating your associate agreements in light of the new Welsh NHS dental contract reform from April 2026.

Advice

Business management

Developing a business plan for your dental practice

Guidance to help you develop a structured business plan for your dental practice, assess your current position, and define the steps needed to achieve your goals.

Advice

Setting and collecting fees

Fee collection in your dental practice

Clear and consistent fee collection supports your practice’s financial stability and helps patients understand what to expect. This advice outlines practical steps to create reliable, patient-focused systems for collecting fees.

Advice

Setting and collecting fees

Communicating dental fees to your patients

Guidance for dental practices on how to communicate fees clearly, confidently, and in line with regulatory expectations, helping patients understand costs and make informed decisions.

Advice

Business finances

Understanding the operating costs of your dental practice

A guide for practice owners on analysing operating costs in a structured way and using our model operating costs calculator to support informed financial decision-making.

Advice

Setting and collecting fees

Setting private and plan fees in your dental practice

Guidance for practice owners on how to set private and plan fees that cover your operating costs, reflect the value of your service, and support sustainable practice growth.

Advice

Business management

Managing organisational change in your dental practice

Guidance for practice owners on planning, managing and embedding organisational change effectively within a dental practice.

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.

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