Business management

Download test

Test content and downloads

Business planning and managing change

This advice identifies the main aspects of developing a business plan: what you want to achieve for your business and describes where you are now, and how you will reach your goals.

Business continuity

Advice on business continuity planning involving a contingency plan for situations that could seriously affect the long-term survival of a dental practice.

Buying a practice

This advice provides an overview of the process of buying and owning a dental practice, market research, planning and where professional advice is needed.

Companies and LLPs

This advice provides an overview of the implications of running your dental practice as a limited company or an LLP.

Dentists legal rights as commercial purchasers

This guide provides advice on contracts dental practices make with other businesses, suppliers and tradespeople, including advice on contract law and rights as a commercial buyer.

Incorporation concerns in Northern Ireland and Scotland

This advice applies to dentists who have incorporated and work in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Leases and licences

This advice should help you negotiate a fair working arrangement by leasing or licensing a commercial property for a dental practice.

Music and visual recordings in the practice

Advice on playing copyrighted media in the dental practice: music, television or film, including permission and licensing.

Names and branding

This advice summarises the importance of a business name, including protecting it, the value and registration process of trademarks.

New practice start up

This introductory guide provides some ideas to help you establish an entirely new practice and is structured according to the stages that you will go through.

Partnerships

This advice provides an overview of working in a partnership.

Planning permission

If you are building new dental practice premises, or altering or extending existing premise, you are likely to need planning permission.

Selling a practice

This advice will help you prepare your dental practice before putting it on the market and guide you through the sales process itself.

SEO 1

Handling disciplinary matters or dismissals in dental practices can be complex and sensitive, with serious implications for practice owners. Knowing how to manage these situations in line with legal processes is essential to protecting your practice.

Managing abusive patients

Abusive or aggressive behaviour from patients is an increasing challenge for dental teams. Different rules may apply depending on whether the patient is under an NHS or private contract, and depending on which part of the UK you are in. One principle is constant: no one in the dental team should have to tolerate abuse.

BDA-1468

Employment Rights Act 2025: Employment law changes for dental practice owners in 2026.

test