Accountants for Dentists in Belvedere: Specialist Tax and Accounting Support

You are not obliged to use a dental specialist, but dental work does create accounting quirks that a generalist may not encounter often. NHS contract income, activity-based payments, private fee lists, laboratory bills, indemnity cover and associate agreements all interact in ways that can affect how income and expenses are reported. An accountant familiar with these arrangements is less likely to need the background explained from scratch each year, and more likely to spot items that have been recorded in a way that does not reflect your actual position.

Associate dentists are often treated as self-employed, which means reporting income and allowable expenses through Self Assessment rather than PAYE. In practice that involves keeping records of the fees you receive, the costs you bear personally, and any amounts deducted on your behalf, such as laboratory work or materials arranged through the practice. Where you work across several practices, or hold a role alongside your associate work, each income source needs to be captured accurately in the same return, and the figures should reconcile with what the practices report.

Yes. Many practices and individual dentists earn from more than one source, and the records for each can look quite different. NHS contract income tends to arrive through scheduled payments or activity reconciliation, while private income may be collected directly from patients, through a plan or via a third-party provider. Keeping those streams separate in your bookkeeping makes it easier to review performance, answer queries and prepare accurate accounts at the end of the period, whatever mix of work you carry out.

Not necessarily, and the right structure depends on your circumstances rather than a general rule. Sole trader and partnership arrangements are common, particularly for individual dentists and smaller practices, while a limited company may suit some practice owners for reasons connected to profit extraction, reinvestment or the way the business is owned. Each structure carries different reporting obligations, filing requirements and tax considerations, so it is worth reviewing the options in light of your income, plans and risk profile before making a change.

We can support practice payroll, including payslips, PAYE reporting to HMRC and the associated record-keeping for staff such as dental nurses, hygienists, receptionists and practice managers. Payroll for a practice often involves a mix of full-time, part-time and occasional staff, along with workplace pension duties where they apply, so it helps to have a consistent process for starters, leavers, changes in hours and holiday pay throughout the year.

VAT treatment in dentistry is not always obvious, and it can vary depending on the nature of the supply and who provides it. Some dental services may be exempt, while certain cosmetic treatments, products or other income could fall outside that exemption. Registration may also be affected by your turnover and by the mix of NHS and private work you carry out, so it is worth reviewing your position if your income or the services you offer change.

It depends on what you need help with, but most dentists begin by sharing details of their role and how they work, their income sources, and any relevant agreements such as an associate contract or partnership deed. From there we may ask for bank statements, invoices, expense records, previous accounts or tax returns, and payroll or VAT information where applicable. If your records are incomplete, we can help you work out what is missing rather than expecting everything to be perfect on day one.

Fees reflect the scope of work rather than a single flat figure, because a locum dentist filing one tax return has very different requirements from a practice owner needing accounts, payroll and VAT support. Once we understand your income sources, business structure and the level of ongoing help you want, we can set out what is included and what is not. That way there are no surprises, and you can see clearly which services you are paying for and which you are handling yourself.