Written by Thomas Coates, this article looks beyond the headline offer to explore what selling a dental practice to a corporate really involves. From deferred consideration and earn-outs to tie-ins, contractual obligations and ongoing commercial risk, Thomas explains the practical and legal realities that every practice owner should understand before deciding whether a corporate sale is the right move.

Planning to sell your Dental practice? Thomas Coates explores a growing shift in the dental market, with more practice owners planning their exit years in advance, and explains why early preparation can strengthen buyer confidence, value and sale outcomes.

More dental practice owners are planning their exit earlier. Discover how early preparation can create greater flexibility and support a smoother future sale.

Discover what buyers are really looking for during dental practice due diligence and how early preparation can build confidence and support a smoother sale.

If selling your practice is something you may consider in the future, even if it still feels several years away, there are a number of practical steps worth considering now. Find out what they are here.

Thomas Coates reflects on key insights from the latest Dental Elite Goodwill Report, highlighting how operational strength, financial performance and business structure are increasingly driving dental practice values. The article also explores growing buyer competition, improving lending conditions and why sophisticated buyers are focusing more closely on performance than location alone.

Tom Coates explains how dentists can buy their first practice. He emphasizes defining clear goals, understanding assets like goodwill, NHS contracts, and property, and conducting thorough due diligence. Building a specialist advisory team and planning post-purchase transition are critical to protecting value and ensuring a smooth, rewarding move into ownership.

Read what Tom Coates has to say about when “specialist” advice isn’t truly specialist. In the rush to meet tax deadlines, flawed guidance can slip through unnoticed - potentially costing thousands. His insight highlights why experience in transactions, not just titles, is critical when making high-stakes business decisions.

Opening a squat dental practice can be an exciting opportunity for dentists looking to establish a practice tailored to their own vision. Unlike purchasing an existing practice, a squat practice involves setting up from scratch, often in premises that have not previously been used for dental services. While this offers flexibility, it also brings a range of property and legal considerations that must be addressed early on. At Buxton Coates Solicitors, we regularly advise dent