Dental Practice Lawyers

Market-leading legal solutions from true dental specialists.

In this section

Our dental team contains true dental specialists who understand the unique pressures you face.

We provide market-leading legal solutions to dental practices across the UK, ranging from single practices to dental groups with multiple locations.

Associate recruitment and retention — accompanied with increased demands on NHS dentists — are the most common challenges facing our clients in the dental sector.

The demand for dentists in the UK has arguably never been higher. Much preventative work simply wasn’t possible during the pandemic closures and as a result, simple treatment options have become more complicated. The pressures upon NHS dentistry are increasing as more associates focus on careers in private dentistry. This is leading to a staffing crisis, exacerbated by associates shunning parts of the country that are seen as less suitable for family life.

Although the daily pressure of practice ownership is great, many entrepreneurial dentists are finding that their returns are higher due to greater demand for more complicated or cosmetic treatments. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, there is a greater willingness from the general public to pay for private dental treatment, given the lack of availability of NHS dentists. However, this is counteracted by pressures upon profit levels, driven both by higher interest payments for bank-financed business owners and increased overheads, with nurse and associate costs rising.

In addition to growing patient numbers and demands, there is an ever-present regulatory burden with varying requirements for NHS delivery and CQC (Care Quality Commission) governance. These interventions are stressful and time-consuming for all involved.

Meet the team

The dental practice transaction experts

We play an active role in the market for dental practice sales and purchases, working alongside third-party brokers to ensure smooth transactions. Advice is provided across multiple specialist practice areas, including practice sales and acquisitions, property acquisition or leasing, property disputes, regulatory (including a CQC application service), fitness to practise, professional conduct, litigation, international recruitment and employment.

Our team provides advice and assistance on roughly 100 dental practice sales or purchases each year and is a member of NASDAL (the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers). We provide our dental clients with access to genuine multidisciplinary dental experts through a single point of contact, backed-up by our full-service commercial law capability.

The team is led by experienced Partner Nicola Lomas. Recognised nationally for her handling of dental practice sales and purchases — as well as incorporations, expense sharing, partnership agreements and associate contracts — Nicola acts for both NHS and private dental practices, along with a broad range of other clients ranging from small, part-time sole practitioners to large, multi-site corporate groups. A member of the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers (NASDAL), Nicola is recognised as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500.

“I cannot thank Brabners and Nicola Lomas enough for their support and guidance, and the urgency with which they acted to help us get the transaction completed within the planned and agreed timescale. From the first call to the frantic calls on the last day, they were focused, calm and ready to help. Their approach to the transaction, both in detail and at the top level, made the whole process much smoother than I expected. Their dental experience allowed them to guide us in the right direction. I cannot thank them enough for going beyond their remit and guiding us during the process, keeping us on the straight and narrow. I would recommend them to anybody thinking of selling their dental practices.”

Client feedback

“For me, it was clear from the outset of our transaction that [Nicola Lomas] had a depth of professional knowledge around our niche area — a dental practice sale. At times I felt bad for our counterparts, who clearly did not have the same information or depth of understanding from their chosen solicitors.”

Client Feedback, The Legal 500

“From start to finish of the purchase of my first dental practice, Nicola Lomas and the wider legal team at Brabners were efficient and responsive, making the process so much more simple and comfortable for me. Advice through the stickier parts of the process was always detailed and accurate, and helped me avoid a few potential future issues. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Brabners and certainly won't look elsewhere for any commercial legal work in future.”

Dental practice transaction client

“Personal thanks to all the team at Brabners for your professionalism and support in this transaction. You've been supportive, informative and understanding. Your knowledge and advice was outstanding. The team worked tirelessly to ensure that the transaction went ahead.”

Dental practice transaction client