For UK private dental practices
You want to move from NHS to private or mixed work, but you don't know how to do it without losing patients
NHS to private transition is one of the highest-leverage decisions in dentistry, and one of the most poorly executed. Most practices that attempt it without a structured plan lose more patients than they needed to.
Cost of Inaction
Enter your total active patients, your current and target private share, and average private revenue per patient. The calculator models your annual revenue at different NHS-to-private mixes.
How it breaks down
- Gross private revenue gain£292,500
- Less NHS revenue replaced£151,200
Two minutes, no typing, and I read every one myself.
From Paul
Tell me where that £141,300 is coming from, and I'll come back with the three things to fix first.
A few quick questions, about two minutes, and no typing. I read every one myself and reply with the three things costing you most and where I'd start. If it's useful, we talk. If not, you've still got a clear picture.
No obligation, no sales call unless you ask for one, and nothing automated lands in your inbox.
Paul, Solvable
- A sudden drop in patient numbers post-transition due to poor communication
- Staff anxiety and potential resignations due to uncertainty about new roles and remuneration
- Financial strain from reduced income and increased private overheads
- Negative online reviews and word-of-mouth due to perceived abandonment of NHS patients
- Increased administrative burden managing new payment plans and private insurance schemes
- Staff morale issues and potential turnover if not managed effectively
- Significant revenue reduction in the short to medium term if patient retention is poor
- Increased marketing expenditure to attract new private patients
- Damage to practice reputation within the local community
- Loss of trust from long-standing NHS patients
No verified UK data available for specific patient retention percentages for planned vs unplanned NHS to private dental transitions.
Source: No verified UK data available
Frequently asked questions
Why does this problem persist?
The NHS to private transition is one of the most significant commercial decisions a dentist can make. Done well, it transforms the practice. Done badly, it creates a patient exodus and a financial crisis.
What is the cost of leaving it unaddressed?
The UK private dentistry market grew by £965 million to £8.4 billion in 2023/24 (LaingBuisson, 2024)
This is exactly what I do with UK private practices. Answer the few questions above and I'll come back personally with where to start. Paul.