Move from NHS to private dentistry with confidence
We've supported NHS-to-private conversions since 2009. We'll tell you honestly whether it works for your practice, then help you build a membership plan that replaces your NHS income.
A big decision you shouldn't make alone
Contract reform, UDA targets and years of uncertainty have left many owners questioning their future in NHS dentistry. Leaving is a major financial and personal decision, and getting the numbers right before you give notice matters more than anything.
A conversion plan built on your numbers
We start with a viability analysis and a financial forecast based on your UDAs, clinician hours, private fees and patient list. You'll see how many patients need to join a plan to replace your NHS income, which is often fewer than owners expect.
If conversion isn't right for you, we'll say so.
How it works
NHS to private in five steps
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01
Viability analysis
We look at the indicators we know predict a successful conversion and tell you where your practice stands.
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02
Financial forecast
We recommend a plan structure and forecast the plan income needed to replace NHS earnings, alongside private treatment income.
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03
Team buy-in
We train your team on why the practice is changing and how to answer patients' questions. Plans may be new to some, so everyone needs to be confident.
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04
Patient communication
We write to patients under your brand, with a clear explanation of the change, their options, plan leaflets and a QR code to join online.
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05
On-site and ongoing support
Our team is in your practice when the letters land, then stays with you through regular reviews and further training.
Conversions that work for you
What a well-planned conversion gives you
Leaving the NHS contract changes how your practice earns, and how your team spends its day. A well-planned conversion gives you more clinical freedom, income you can rely on and patients who understand the change.
Clinical freedom
Spend more time on the dentistry you trained for, with appointment lengths set by clinical need rather than contract targets.
Income that replaces the contract
A plan structure designed so membership income plus private treatment replaces what the NHS paid.
Patients who understand the change
Tried-and-tested letters, leaflets and online sign-up make it easy for patients to stay with you.
Lower running costs
Low admin fees per patient per month, so more of every plan payment stays with the practice.
Full or clinician-led conversion
Choose the route that suits your practice.
A conversion affects your contracts, finances and team. We'll guide you through the process, and we also recommend talking to your accountant, your bank and, where relevant, a solicitor before you give notice.
Full conversion
You give notice on your NHS contract and the whole practice moves to private care, supported by a membership plan. NHS England, or your health board in Wales, needs three months' notice in writing.
Clinician-led (partial) conversion
One or more dentists go private while the practice keeps its NHS contract. It needs careful planning to explain to patients, and it's less common than it was. We'll talk you through the pros and cons.
Paid for delivery (Scotland)
In Scotland, practices are paid for what they deliver, which makes partial conversions simpler. Many keep seeing children on the NHS while adults join a plan. We'll factor every source of NHS Scotland income into your viability assessment.
Who we help
For NHS and mixed practices weighing up their future
Principals and practice owners in England, Wales and Scotland thinking about a full or clinician-led move to private care. If you want clinical freedom and a stable income without putting the practice at risk, start with a conversation.
Practices that made the move
Converting from NHS to fully private
“We always felt that patients deserved more. ... Patient Plan Direct was great with me. ... It wasn’t a come and join us at all costs. It was let’s analyse your business, let’s look at the figures, let’s work out if this is going to work.”
Hexham Dental Clinic
Switch from NHS
“Our main concern was financial. ... We had a lot of support from Patient Plan Direct. ... It’s a good thing for patients to be on private dentistry membership plans rather than sticking with the limitations of the NHS.”
Thomas & Stroud
Switch from NHS to fully private
"I like to see my patients every six months, and ensuring that they’re stable, and I didn’t feel I could do that on the NHS.
Converting on to the plan means we can spend a lot more time with our patients, and do the dentistry that we want to do."
Hapus Dental Surgery
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Talk to an expert
Contact our patient plan experts
Thinking about leaving the NHS? Book a no-obligation viability conversation and we'll give you an honest view.