Thinking about leaving the NHS? Practice Plan explains how to make the move to private dentistry in five stages.
Deciding to leave the NHS and transition to private dentistry is a significant step – one that can feel both exciting and daunting. If you’re an NHS dentist contemplating this change, you’re not alone. Many dentists have walked this path before you, and with the right support, it can be a smooth transition to a calmer place.
Practice Plan has been helping dentists make this move since 1995. Over the last three decades, it has developed a tried-and-tested five-step process that’s helped hundreds of practices successfully move from NHS to private care. Here’s how it works.
Stage 1: is it the right time for you?
The first step is all about understanding your unique situation. Every practice is different, and every practice owner has their own goals and vision. That’s why Practice Plan starts by getting to know your practice inside and out – what makes it special, what your aspirations are, and what challenges you’re facing.
The team also assesses four key indicators to determine if now is the right time to make the move:
- Patient loyalty – are your patients likely to follow you into private care?
- Patient numbers – do you have a strong enough base to support a membership plan?
- Your team – are they on board and ready to support the transition?
- Demographics – does your local area support a private model?
If the timing isn’t quite right, Practice Plan will be honest with you. The goal is to help you succeed, not to push you into a decision that might not be right for you. If needed, the team will guide you on how to strengthen your practice so you’re ready when the time comes.
Stage 2: exploring the financial side
Once it has been established that the move is viable, it’s time to delve into the numbers. This stage is all about ensuring financial sustainability. Practice Plan will help you calculate:
- The income you need to maintain profitability
- The hourly rate you should charge
- How a membership plan can provide a steady, predictable income.
A well-designed membership plan can significantly reduce the financial uncertainty of leaving the NHS. It also benefits your patients by offering them an easy way to budget for their care while at the same time giving you a reliable monthly income stream.
Stage 3: communicating the change to patients
How you tell your patients about the move is crucial. Practice Plan will support you in crafting clear, empathetic communications – whether that’s through letters, emails, or face-to-face conversations.
Your dedicated regional support manager (RSM) will also train your team on how to handle patient queries and concerns. It’s important that your patients understand why you’re making the change and how it benefits them.
There are several ways to approach this:
- Face-to-face: discuss the change during appointments to build trust and answer questions
- Letters or emails: announce the change with a clear timeline and invitation to join your membership plan
- Hybrid approach: combine both methods for maximum reach and reassurance.
Stage 4: support during and after the move
Practice Plan doesn’t just help you plan the transition – the team is there with you every step of the way. Your RSM will be on-site during the early days of your conversion, usually equipped with biscuits or lunch, helping you sign up your first patients and answering any questions that may come up.
Practice Plan also provides comprehensive team training before the switch, so everyone feels confident and prepared.
Stage 5: Ongoing support to help your business grow
Once your plan is up and running, Practice Plan doesn’t just walk away. The team is after a long-term relationship and is committed to your long-term success. Practice Plan offers:
- Access to Supportal – a powerful online platform where you can view plan data, download statements, and sign up new members
- Marketing materials – tailored to your practice to help you attract and retain patients
- Events, blogs, and podcasts – to keep you informed, inspired, and connected
- Dedicated support – from your dedicated RSM and a relationship support advisor (RSA) at head office.
As your practice grows, Practice Plan will be there to help you stay on track and reach your goals.
Why make the move?
One of the biggest benefits dentists report after moving to private care is the ability to spend more time with patients. Without the constraints of the NHS, you can offer a wider range of treatments, build stronger relationships, and focus on delivering the kind of care you believe in.
You’ll also gain more control over your business. No more waiting for NHS approvals or navigating red tape. You set the direction, and you decide how you get there.
Ready to start the conversation?
Practice Plan understands that making the move from NHS to private dentistry is a big decision. That’s why it offers no-obligation conversations to help you explore your options. Getting in touch doesn’t mean you’re committing to anything – it’s just a chance to get the information you need to make the right choice for you and your practice, whether that’s a partial or complete move away from NHS dentistry.
You can read more about the five-step process in this handy booklet.
This year, Practice Plan celebrates 30 years of welcoming practices into the family, helping them to grow profitable and sustainable businesses through the introduction of practice-branded membership plans.
If you’re considering your options away from the NHS and are looking for a plan provider who will hold your hand through the process at a pace that’s right for you, you can start the conversation with Practice Plan today by calling 01691 684165 or to book your one-to-one NHS to private conversation at a date and time that suits you, just visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhsvirtual.
If you’d like to find out more about introducing a plan, and how Practice Plan can help you, visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhs.
Practice Plan is ready when you are.
This article is sponsored by Practice Plan.
