One of the UK’s only dedicated dental practice buyer’s agents. We challenge valuations, arrange independent acquisition finance and run financial due diligence so you pay a fair price for the right practice. Exclusively for buyers. No tie to any lender. Over 700 UK dentists supported since 2002.
Acts exclusively for buyers Zero conflict of interest 25+ years in dental 700+ purchases assisted ICAEW · FCA · NACFB Bootcamp for buyers
UpdatedJun 2026
SectorDental & Healthcare
EngagementFree consultation
Onboarding14 days
How we work
A buyer’s agent for the UK dental market
Buying a dental practice is the largest single transaction most dentists ever make – and the most one-sided. The selling agent is paid by the seller. Your bank has one product to offer. The valuation is set by people whose interests don’t fully align with yours.
Samera acts exclusively for buyers. We’re one of the UK’s only dedicated dental practice buyer’s agents. We don’t represent sellers, we don’t take commission from selling agents, and we don’t work for any lender – we work for you, the buyer, and we’ll take your deal to every major UK lender to find the strongest terms.
We challenge the price, run independent due diligence, take the finance to the whole market and coordinate the transition end-to-end.
How we charge – and what’s free
Acquisition finance brokerage is free to you because lenders pay us a commission on completion – but that never tilts our advice. Every deal goes to every major UK lender we work with, and we recommend the strongest terms for you, whoever they come from. Due diligence, valuation, business plan and tax setup work is priced separately, and we’ll always tell you what each piece costs before you commit.
Valuation and negotiation
Know what the practice is worth – not just what it’s listed for
The asking price on a dental practice isn’t always defensible. Goodwill multiples vary by region, by contract mix and by how reliant the practice is on the selling principal. Practices that look like a 6x EBITDA multiple sometimes turn out to be a 4x when the numbers are properly scrutinised – and sometimes they turn out to be a 7x when there’s hidden value the memorandum didn’t surface.
We work out what the practice is actually worth. We analyse the accounts, the patient base, the contract mix, the lease or freehold position, the staff structure and the practical reality of the principal’s involvement post-sale. If the asking price doesn’t add up, we tell you – with evidence – and negotiate on your behalf.
Because the broker, accountant and valuation work all feed into the same picture, the negotiation isn’t just price-based. It’s structure-based.
Calculate the real value of a dental practice
Check what a practice is actually worth with our free valuation calculator. Based on UK market multiples.
A great-looking practice on paper isn’t always what it seems. Revenue might rely on a handful of high-value patients. The associate split might be unsustainable. There might be NHS clawback risk that hasn’t been disclosed. The principal’s “key person” effect on the goodwill might be larger than the memorandum suggests.
Our in-house dental accountancy team runs financial due diligence on every practice you’re seriously considering. We review the management accounts, the bank statements, the contract receipts, the staff costs, the lease or freehold terms, the patient retention figures. We translate the findings into the numbers your lender needs to see.
The objective is straightforward – don’t be surprised after completion. Identifying problems before exchange is significantly less costly than discovering them afterwards.
Financial due diligence
Verify the numbers on the practice you’re considering.
Independent acquisition finance, no tie to any lender
Most buyers approach their existing bank first. That bank has one product to offer – their own. Even when their offer is competitive, they have no incentive to tell you a better deal exists elsewhere.
We’re an independent commercial finance broker. We take the deal to the whole market – high street banks, specialist healthcare lenders, alternative providers – and come back with the strongest terms available. You decide which offer to take.
We package the application properly. Lenders see hundreds of acquisitions a year and they assess deals against a specific set of criteria. The structure of the application – how the deal is framed, how any deposit is presented, how the goodwill and freehold are split, how your personal financial position is positioned – changes the lender’s response. Doing this well is most of the work.
Acquisition finance brokerage is free to you. Lenders pay us a commission on completion. We tell you upfront what we’re being paid and confirm it in writing before you sign anything.
Dental practice finance broker
Whole-of-market access, no tie to any lender, free brokerage on acquisitions.
First-time buyer approached their own bank, which offered 80% finance over 15 years at base + 3.2%. That sounded reasonable to them. We disagreed – 3.2% above base is far higher than we’d typically negotiate for a dental acquisition. We packaged the deal and took it to several UK healthcare lenders, including the client’s own bank. The client’s own bank came back with a substantially improved offer of base + 2.1%. The same lender, the same deal – just packaged properly. Saved £5,736 per year, £86,000 over the life of the loan.
Acquisition · Where other brokers failed
First practice purchase secured for an associate after a previous broker had given up
3 offers received | 3 different lenders | Completion achieved
Associate dentist in the North West had been trying to buy their first practice for months. They’d used a finance broker who claimed dental specialism. After several months, that broker came back to say they couldn’t source finance. The associate found us online. We outlined exactly what documentation we’d need – significantly more detailed than the previous broker had requested – and approached a wide range of lenders. Within weeks we had three separate offers from three different commercial finance lenders. The client chose the offer that best suited their situation. They’re now the owner of their own dental practice.
Refinance · Early repayment penalty
£8,000 saved on an early repayment charge through lender renegotiation
Original ERC 1% | Renegotiated 0.25% | Saved £8,000
Client approached us planning to buy new premises. They had a substantial existing loan with a 1% early repayment charge that was triggered by the refinancing. They came to us first instead of just paying it. We discovered that lender had recently been acquired by another firm and had stopped writing new loans in this sector – which materially changed their negotiating position. We approached the lender with the client, used the changed circumstances to renegotiate the penalty, and got the charge reduced from 1% to 0.25%. Saved £8,000 on the fee.
Thinking seriously about buying?
Have a free, no-obligation conversation with our buyers advisory team. We’ll tell you honestly what’s realistic on your budget, your timeline and your borrowing capacity – before you start serious searching.
Completion is the start. Running the practice well is the next 20 years.
The Samera Alliance partner network covers everything you’ll need that we don’t do ourselves. It’s free to join. We’ve negotiated discounted rates across the network because the collective volume gives us leverage. If we don’t do it ourselves, we know someone who does – that’s been the principle since 2002. References available on request.
Alliance services include:
CQC compliance – registration and ongoing regulatory support
HR and health and safety – employment, policies and workplace safety
Indemnity insurance – cover at preferential member rates
Equipment and IT – supply, install and practice systems
Dental builders and fit-out – refurbishment and clinical space works
Software and waste management – practice software and clinical waste
Our accountancy team can take over from day one. Specialist dental accounts and tax, payroll and pensions, management accounts and KPI tracking, profit reviews, long-term financial planning. The team that ran the due diligence runs the management accounts afterwards – no handover gap, no re-explaining the practice’s quirks to a new accountant.
And when you’re ready to grow. Most buyers want to run the practice they’ve just bought – but if multiple sites are the longer-term plan, the same team handles the growth side too: CFO services, group-level financial infrastructure and the strategy work that turns a single practice into a group. There when you need it, not before. Explore Samera Growth Advisory
Before you start
The first step – our Setting Up in Practice Bootcamp
Before you start searching for a practice, the Bootcamp is the most useful thing you can do. It’s our live event for dentists who are thinking about ownership but haven’t yet committed.
You’ll spend a day with people who have been through it – a lead dentist who owns her own practice, a specialist accountant, a commercial finance broker and a dental marketing expert. The format is small enough to ask real questions and get honest answers.
It covers what lenders actually look for, how valuations are calculated and challenged, what the legal and CQC process looks like, the common pitfalls (and how to avoid them), and what ownership is actually like once the deal is done.
Over 300 of the UK’s dentists have attended. The best starting point if you’re serious about buying.
I highly recommend Samera as I received immense support from … Arun and Natasha while buying my new practice at Northwich.
Marina George – 5 Stars
… originally recommended by a close friend for commercial finance but ended up helping with all aspects of my first practice purchase – from sifting through prospectuses, business plans, viability and securing great deals on the loans. No question was too silly and … was available around the clock. Thoroughly appreciate having honest expert advice in what typically is your most expensive purchase …
Mayoor Patel – 5 Stars
I can’t recommend Samera enough to anybody looking to secure finance for acquisition of a dental practice. I speak from personal experience … It took only days to get the finance in place and … gone over his remit in helping me along the process with valuable advice that saves me much time and money! Basically if you want a result – call Samera!
Skinnergate Dental – 5 Stars
… helped secure the finance we needed when my husband and I were buying our first dental practice … advice was invaluable and we definitely couldn’t have done it without his help … always on the end of the phone or email reassuring us and supporting us through the application process with the various banks … liaised with the bank on our behalf which took a weight off our shoulders during a very stressful time. I would definitely use Samera again and recommend others to do the same.
Lucy Jones – 5 Stars
Been with Samera since 2008 when we bought our first dental practice, their knowledge and expertise is second to none not least because they also own their own dental practices … Whether you’re setting up from scratch or acquiring an existing practice, Samera have been there to offer advice on raising finance, staff and team issues, tax knowledge, leadership and having a strong vision, marketing, getting into purchasing groups and also purchasing equipment …
Saijel Kachhala – 5 Stars
I attended the Samera Setting Up Bootcamp last Friday and I’m so glad I did … The experience felt almost like a one to one session thanks to the small group setting and the incredibly knowledgeable team … The day gave me a much clearer understanding of the steps involved in buying and setting up a practice, as well as the common pitfalls to avoid! I would highly recommend this bootcamp to any dentist who is thinking about owning their own practice.
A buyer’s agent acts exclusively for the purchaser, rather than for the seller or the selling agent. We challenge the asking price with evidence, negotiate on your behalf, arrange independent finance, and coordinate due diligence. Because we have no financial relationship with the seller and no tie to any lender, every piece of advice we give is in your interest only. Most dental practice transactions involve a sales agent who is paid by the seller. Using a buyer’s agent balances that dynamic.
Do I need a buyer’s agent to buy a dental practice?
No, but the cost of not having one is typically far higher than the cost of using one. Most unrepresented buyers accept the asking price, accept the first finance offer their bank provides, and have no independent check on the numbers. Our case studies show savings of £86,000 on a single loan through rate negotiation alone. A buyer’s agent pays for itself in the majority of transactions.
How much does it cost to buy a dental practice in the UK?
Dental practices typically sell for between £300,000 and over £2 million depending on location, size, NHS contract value and profitability. Lenders will typically finance 70 to 100% of the purchase price, meaning you may need a deposit of 0 to 30% depending on the strength of the deal and applicant. There are also additional costs including legal fees, financial due diligence, CQC registration and stamp duty land tax. We help you understand the full cost picture before you commit.
How long does it take to buy a dental practice?
From identifying a practice to completion typically takes between four and nine months. Agreeing heads of terms usually takes two to four weeks. Due diligence, finance approval, CQC registration and legal completion then typically run in parallel and take a further three to six months. NHS contract transfers in particular can add time.
Can I buy a dental practice as an associate with no ownership experience?
Yes – this is the most common profile of buyer we work with. Lenders don’t require prior ownership experience, but they do require a strong clinical track record, a solid business case and well-prepared financial documentation. We help associates structure the application, present the case to lenders effectively and understand the operational transition from clinician to practice owner.
What is financial due diligence and do I need it?
Financial due diligence is an independent review of the practice’s accounts, cash flow and cost structure carried out before completion. It verifies that the profits stated in the sales memorandum are real and sustainable, identifies any hidden liabilities or risks, and gives your lender confidence in the deal. We strongly recommend it for every purchase. Practices that look profitable on paper aren’t always what they seem.
What happens to NHS contracts when I buy a practice?
NHS contracts don’t automatically transfer to a new owner. The contract must be novated – formally transferred – with the agreement of the NHS commissioner, which takes time and isn’t guaranteed. We coordinate this alongside your solicitors and advise on the risk profile of NHS-dependent practices. If you’re buying a mixed or NHS practice, understanding the contract position before you exchange is essential.
What is CQC registration and how long does it take?
The Care Quality Commission regulates all dental practices in England. When you buy a practice you must register as a new provider with the CQC before you can legally operate it. The process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks and must run alongside your legal completion timetable. We coordinate it through our trusted CQC partner specialists in the Samera Alliance network so it doesn’t delay completion.
Should I buy an existing practice or start a squat?
Both routes have merit depending on your circumstances. Buying gives you an established patient base, existing staff and immediate revenue – at a higher upfront cost. Starting a squat gives you full control over location, design and systems – but takes longer to generate revenue and carries more commercial risk. We advise on both routes and can model the financial case for each. See our practice startup service for more on the squat route.
Speak to the Samera buyers advisory team
When buying a dental practice – especially for the first time – you need qualified specialists who have been through it. We’ve been helping the UK’s dentists buy practices for over 25 years and we own dental practices ourselves. We know what it takes to buy the right one, finance it well and get it running.
Free, no-obligation consultation. Book a call at a time that suits you – or just pick up the phone.
