What can you expect from the dental market in 2026?

Image: Amina Atar for Unsplash

The publication of our recent Business Outlook 2026 report comes at a pivotal moment for the UK dental market. After a period marked by correction, caution, and recalibration, 2025 represented a clear return to stability and renewed growth. It was a year in which both sentiment and activity shifted meaningfully, and one that sets the foundation for what we anticipate will be a more competitive and dynamic market in 2026.

THE BUYER LANDSCAPE

One of the most notable developments we saw last year was the growing number of early-career dentists stepping into practice ownership. Improved funding terms, greater pricing stability, and an appetite among younger clinicians to take control of their professional futures all played a part.

First-time buyers accounted for 33% of the practices we sold in 2025, showing the continued strength of independent operators, which are our most active buyer type. Their presence created heightened competition across the country, particularly for well-presented mixed and private practices.

Corporate purchasers represented just 7% of completed transactions, reflecting continued scrutiny of costs, heightened selectivity and a cautious approach to acquisitions.

However, the picture is already changing as we move through 2026. Our pipeline activity shows a clear increase in corporate engagement, with around 20% of current live deals expected to complete into corporate ownership. This is a material shift, and we anticipate further strengthening throughout the year.

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

While confidence improved in 2025, cost pressures continued to weigh on operators. Staffing and materials costs remained elevated, and increases to employers’ National Insurance contributions and the National Minimum Wage added further strain.

These pressures were most acutely felt by NHS-focused practices, where fixed contract values limit flexibility. Nevertheless, the resilience demonstrated by operators across the NHS landscape should not be underestimated. Many have responded proactively by strengthening mixed-income models, enhancing long-term sustainability while continuing to deliver essential NHS care.

PRACTICE PRICING

After an extended period of adjustment between 2022 and 2024, goodwill values rose meaningfully in 2025. Corporate re-engagement and strong independent demand contributed to a 2.9% increase in the average price paid for a dental business.

Practices with meaningful private income, stable teams and predictable profitability remained the most sought after, regularly achieving premium values.

MARKET EXPECTATIONS FOR 2026

Our annual sentiment survey reflect a broadly positive mood across the profession, with 59% of respondents telling us they hold a positive outlook for 2026, and 58% considering a sale or acquisition this year. This level of intent indicates a market with ambition and momentum.

As we look forward, we expect several trends to define activity across the dental market:

• Growing corporate appetite, particularly for private practices and strong-performing NHS sites
• Competition for small group opportunities, especially among private‑equity-backed buyers seeking scalable platforms
• A sustained preference for mixed-model practices, balancing resilience with growth potential
• Acceleration in digital adoption, with AI, CRM tools and end-to-end digital workflows becoming standard in well-run practices
• Ongoing recruitment and retention pressures, especially for NHS-led operators

The market is moving forward again, and 2026 has the potential to be one of the most active years we have seen since before the correction cycle began. However, success will depend not only on timing but on preparation. The strongest outcomes will be secured by operators who are well advised, well prepared, and able to present a clear, credible and sustainable proposition, regardless of size or scale.

To find out more about the UK dental market, read Christie & Co’s ‘Business Outlook 2026’ report: https://www.christie.com/news-resources/business-outlook-2026/dental/