Dental
In this section, we explore the dental market in 2024 and provide predictions for the sector in 2025.
Market Overview
The independent sector continued to dominate market activity throughout 2024, with first-time buyers, existing owners, and smaller groups driving over 80% of agreed transactions. This sustained momentum in the volume segment was reflected in pricing, with practices achieving an impressive average of 108% of their asking price.
As borrowing costs stabilised over the year, the market gained more confidence, particularly in practice acquisitions. Viewings surged by 19%, offers received rose by 17%, and the number of agreed deals soared by 26% compared with 2023. The aggregate value of all offers increased by 1.5% which, when allowing for the increased volume of offers received, reflects the dominance in independent market activity.
Activity levels were further bolstered by a significant 18% rise in the number of practices brought to market in 2024. This influx of supply provided prospective buyers with a wider range of opportunities, influencing the average number of offers per practice sale. After climbing from 2.2 in 2022 to 4.4 in 2023, the average rose to 4.8 in 2024, reflecting the evolving market dynamics.
Paul Graham
Managing Director - Medical
Key Market Trends
Market Sentiment
We anonymously surveyed dental professionals across the country to gather their views on the year ahead.
Market Predictions 2025
- A continued appetite from independent groups and owner-operator first-time buyers for all practice types
- Increased numbers of sellers wanting to exit before future changes to Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR)
- Higher National Living Wage (NLW) rates affecting practice profitability along with employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs)
- Private Equity-backed corporate buyers returning to the market in light of stabilised interest rates and successful periods of integration and divestment
- Continued issues with recruitment, alleviated somewhat by the streamlining of the PVLE & ORE processes
- Due to the financial restrictions placed on NHS-focused practices, such as the ineligibility for the increased employment allowance, acquisitions focused on NHS-heavy portfolios might have less appeal to buyers. Buyers may, instead, target practices with a larger private patient base, which are less constrained by the 2024 Autumn Budget’s public sector stipulations
Case Studies
92Dental, West London
Established in 1985, 92 Dental is a fully private, four-surgery practice that provides a broad range of specialist, cosmetic, preventive, and general dental treatments.
Dr Boryana Nikolova took ownership of the business in February 2019, having formerly been an Associate of the practice. She very successfully grew and developed the business and increased its focus on management and strategy, the patient experience, and the development of the staff and clinical team.
In February 2024, the practice sold to first-time buyer, and former practice Associate, Dr Moira Baldiraghi.
Rejuvadent, East Yorkshire
These three NHS practices comprise a total of 17 well-presented surgeries and are located in Grimsby, Scunthorpe, and Hull. Dr David Bryden established the group in 1999 and decided to sell to hand it over to a like-minded operator who will continue to deliver for the patients in the area.
In August 2024, the group sold to Jonathan Schonberg at April Holdings Dental Group. Alongside his interest in the Carholme Dental Group, this acquisition took Jonathan to 24 practices across the UK and bolstered its significant presence across Yorkshire.
Slateford Dental Care, Edinburgh
Established 35 years ago by the exiting owner, Robert King, Slateford Dental Care is a mixed-income modern six-surgery dental practice located in the heart of Edinburgh. It has an excellent clinical reputation and boasts a five-star Google rating.
In November 2024, the practice sold to first-time buyer, Christopher Logan, who holds a postgraduate qualification in dental implantology.
Major Transaction from 2025
| Date | Business | Purchaser | Details |
| Jan | Chapel Dental | Cambridge Dental Group | A large mixed practice in Cambridgeshire |
| Feb | One80 Dental | Independent | A large specialist referral centre in South Yorkshire |
| May | U Dentistry | Envisage Dental | A large high-end private practice in West Yorkshire |
| Jul | Rejuvadent | Carholme Dental Group | A group of three NHS practices in East Yorkshire |
| Jul | H Williams & Associates | Envisage Dental | A large private practice in Kent |
| Aug | Castelnau Dentists | Envisage Dental | A large private-led practice in South West London |
| Sept | Platt & Common | Scottish Dental Care (SDC) | A large mixed practice in Stirling |
| Oct | Shelton Dental Centre | Independent Group | A large mixed practice in Staffordshire |
| Oct | Croydon Orthodontic Practice | Dental Beauty Partners | Two orthodontic practices in the South East |
| Oct | Slateford Dental Care | Independent | A large private practice in Edinburgh |