Specialist Dental Tax & Accounting Advice 

Clear, hassle-free support for dentists with fixed fees.

At Shipleys Tax, we’ve been working with the dental profession for over 15 years  – providing clear, proactive advice that help dentists optimise tax, protect profits, use tax efficient structures to grow, or just become a financially savvy individual.

We act for dental clients all over the UK, including:

• Associates and single-handed/squat practices

• Larger partnerships and corporates

• Dental clinics, hygienists, consultants

• Specialists such as orthodontists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and periodontists

With NHS pension and contract reforms, staff shortages, rising costs, and pressure to expand into private work, working in a dental business has never been more complex. At Shipleys Tax we help you stay compliant, reduce tax burdens, and plan strategically so you can focus on your life goals.

Sections

• Dental Principals and Practices
• Dental Associates and Self Employed DCPs
• Tax Planning services for Dentists

Dental Principals and Practices

Owning or running a dental practice brings both opportunities and risks. With NHS dentistry undergoing fundamental reforms, practice owners need to adapt to new funding models while keeping control of costs and cashflow.

At Shipleys Tax, we help principals and practice owners with:

• Specialist knowledge of NHS practice funding (including GDS/PDS contracts and NHS England reforms)

• Specialist guidance on NHS pension and superannuation issues

• Advice on UDA values, contract changes, and the evolving primary care dental market

• Handling all aspects of accounting, tax compliance, and partner drawings so you can focus on clinical care

Why choose a specialist dental accountant?

Not all accountants are the same. You need an adviser that understands the realities of dental practice management and can spot opportunities for tax savings that general accountants may miss, as well as access to specialist dental tax advisers with many years expertise in the field.

Why do you need a specialist dental accountant?

• Specialist knowledge of NHS general practice and the expert experience we have can be instrumental in planning your next move

• Understanding how practices are funded by NHS England (ex-PCTs)

• Be familiar with the GDS/PDS provider contracts, the dental contract reforms and the impact of the NHS pension scheme

• Be up to speed on UDA values in practice and the developing primary care dental market.

• Deal competently and promptly with all taxation matters and with dentists’ superannuation.

Why Shipleys Tax?

We aim to do more than produce the annual accounts and handle the principals’ tax affairs – we act as your strategic tax partner.

• Personal service – one partner-led team, not a call centre

• Timely – we work to agreed timescales and visit practices to discuss results

• Proactive – cashflow, drawings, and bookkeeping support included

• Tax planning built-in – from reducing income tax and corporation tax to CGT,  inheritance tax, SDLT, and succession planning

At Shipleys Tax we understand the specific needs of dental practices and the partners involved. Wholesale reforms to the NHS mean dental practices need to re-position themselves in the new system and be able to devote maximum time to administration of patient care. That is where our team can help by providing specialist knowledge on your accounting and tax matters leaving you to concentrate on the patients and, ultimately, your life goals.

With nationwide coverage, we work with dental practices all across the UK.

Fees

What out basic annual fee covers:

• Preparation of annual statutory accounts

• Partnership tax return and tax computation

• Partners’ personal tax returns

• Profit projections and liability planning

• Meetings with principals to discuss draft accounts

• Unlimited email and phone queries

• Ongoing tax planning reviews for partners/shareholders

We also advise on:

• Incorporation and restructuring for NHS and non-NHS income

• Practice purchase or sale (structuring for maximum tax efficiency)

• HMRC enquiries and investigations

• Payroll and employment tax compliance

• Succession, IHT, CGT, and SDLT mitigation strategies

Dental Associates and Self Employed Dental Care Professionals (DCPs)

We’ve supported dental associates, hygienists, and therapists for many years and understand the challenges of balancing NHS work, self-employment, and private income.

What does the service include?

• Registering with HMRC and advising on employed vs self-employed status

• Claiming tax-deductible business expenses and subscriptions

• Annual accounts and self-assessment tax returns

• Guidance on NHS superannuation and student loan deductions

• Advice on employing a spouse and structuring income tax efficiently

• Ad-hoc telephone and email advice

Additional advisory services:

• Tax efficient structures for associates/hygienists/therapists

• Limited company incorporation and its impact on income extraction and superannuation

• Finance routes for practice acquisitions (ethical and standard)

• Tax planning for overseas dentists

• Inheritance tax and property tax planning

Many dental associates after a few years aspire to have  a practice of their own. We will handhold you through the whole process including:

• The most tax-efficient way to structure ownership

• Due diligence on target practice accounts

• Introductions to specialist dental solicitors and lenders

• Advice on staff, payroll, record keeping and surgery compliance

• Tax planning to ensure the deal is optimised from day one

Why us?

• Save you money – proactive services ensuring you are aware of tax savings
• Knowledge you can trust – we have a wealth of tax expertise in the healthcare sector
• Planning – ensuring you are aware of tax liabilities and payment dates enabling you to plan your cashflow
• Peace of mind – we have many years of experience in dealing with the tax affairs of medical and hospital consultants
• Help you minimising risk of HMRC enquiry
• We have nationwide coverage and act for Dentist clients based throughout the UK.

Our basic fees start from £495 + VAT for associates.

Package	Annual Fees (from)	What’s Included	Best For
Essential	£495+VAT	Annual accounts & self-assessment tax return – Guidance on allowable expenses & record keeping – HMRC registration support (if required) – Telephone/email queries	New associates or hygienists needing straightforward compliance
Pro	£695 + VAT	Everything in Essential, plus: Proactive NHS superannuation guidance – Cashflow planning & tax liability forecasts• Advice on employing a spouse & NIC structuring – Regular contact with our dental tax team	Established associates looking for proactive planning and support
Premium	£995 + VAT	Everything in Professional, plus: Incorporation and company tax planning advice – Mortgage & loan support (liaising with banks) – Practice acquisition guidance – Tailored inheritance tax & property tax planning	Associates preparing to buy a practice or seeking advanced planning

Tax Planning for Dentists

Tax law never stands still – especially in healthcare. With NHS reforms, rising costs, and increased focus on private income, proactive planning has never been more important.

The most effective tax planning is typically done before a major event, so seek advice early on in the lifecycle of a business or personal financial transaction.

Our specialist tax advisers can help with:

• Buying or selling a practice – saving on both personal and corporation tax

• Structuring dental/health clinics tax-efficiently

• Inheritance tax and estate planning for dentists

• Reducing SDLT on property purchases

• Asset protection and succession planning

• Offshore and international tax for cross-border practices

• Property development and investment structuring

• Using EIS/SEIS and corporate vehicles for expansion

• LLP and partnership planning

Why Dentists Choose Shipleys Tax

• 15+ years’ proven expertise in the dental sector

• Proactive tax planning tailored to NHS and private practice needs

• Nationwide coverage with partner-led personal service

• Transparent pricing and ongoing support