The UK dental market is showing renewed signs of strength, according to new data, with NHS practice acquisitions back in favour with large corporates.
Christie and Co’s Dental Market Review 2026 highlights ‘a meaningful strengthening of practice profitability’ across the entire dental sector. It found that private dentistry is leading this recovery, with average net profit per principal in private practices increasing by more than 22% year on year.
Jennifer Scott, head of healthcare at Lloyds Banking Group, said: ‘Overall, there remains strong and active support across the banking landscape, with lenders continuing to back high-quality dental businesses with proven performance and clear strategies to manage change, reflecting confidence in the sector’s long-term fundamentals.’
NHS practices in demand
Despite the success of the private sector, corporate DSOs are showing renewed interest in acquiring NHS and mixed practices. The report suggests this is due to the stability of contracted income and potential opportunities to increase private revenue. Furthermore, as concerns about excessive privatisation persist among the public, Christie suggests that DSOs are keen to show a continued commitment to NHS dentistry.
While corporate acquisition appetite remains high, only 19% of practices are owned by corporate and large-group operators. Around 8,000 of the UK’s 12,000 practices are independent single or dual site operators.
The report suggests that demand for high-quality practices is outstripping the supply, with 57% of accepted offers for practice sales at or above asking price. Of these, 45% were above asking. Average asset prices increased 2.9% in 2025, following a 9.6% fall in 2024.
What’s next for the UK dental market?
However, staffing issues remain. The report found a 19% vacancy rate in NHS dentistry, compared with 15% in private dentistry. Dental associates said better pay, improved work-life balance and the opportunity to deliver more private services were among the reasons they would consider changing roles.
Considering the demographics of the dental profession, the report found that 53% of new dentists in 2025 were internationally qualified, compared with 47% from UK dental schools. It notes that this is the first year that internationally qualified dentists made up the majority of new entrants into the profession.
Changes to the Overseas Registration Exam (ORE) are expected to allow an additional 1,000 dentists to qualify annually by 2028/29. License in Dental Surgery (LDS) capacity is also being expanded tenfold, backed by a one-off £420,000 grant pledged by the previous Starmer government.
The report also revealed that a major focus for practice owners and managers is investment in new technology. More than six in 10 survey respondents intend to invest in new equipment and technology over the next 12 to 24 months – including CAD/CAM, in-house manufacturing and AI-enhanced imaging. Christie argues that the resulting demonstrable improvements in revenue, retention and efficiency can increase goodwill values.
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