Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices
Accountants for Dentists in Bristol: Specialist Tax and Accounting Support
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Dentists and Dental Practices We Support
Associate & Private Dentists
Self-assessment, allowable expense claims, lab fees and superannuation reconciliation for self-employed associates and private dentists.
Dental Practice Owners & Principals
Practice accounts, payroll for nurses and receptionists, UDA income monitoring, cash flow and profit extraction planning.
Orthodontists & Specialists
Accounting for referral-based and specialist practices, including capital allowances on equipment and VAT on cosmetic treatment.
Squat Practices & Dental Start-Ups
Cash flow forecasts for lenders, company formation, cloud software set-up and registration for new and squat dental practices.
Our Accounting and Tax Services for Dentists
Bookkeeping for Dental Practices
We reconcile NHS schedules, private takings, plan income such as Denplan and card receipts so you always know what the practice is really earning.
VAT for Dental Practices
Most dental treatment is VAT exempt, but cosmetic work, teeth whitening and product sales are not. We handle partial exemption and get your returns right.
Self-Assessment for Associate Dentists
We prepare associate tax returns, claim every allowable expense from GDC fees and indemnity to CPD and lab costs, and reconcile superannuation deductions.
Dental Payroll, Auto-Enrolment & NHS Pension
Payroll for nurses, hygienists and reception staff, plus auto-enrolment, statutory pay and NHS Pension submissions handled on time every month.
Practice Accounts & Profitability Reporting
Management accounts that show profit per surgery, per associate and per income stream, so you can see exactly where the practice makes money.
Accounting Considerations for Dental Practices
Dental accounting often involves more moving parts than a straightforward salary or single trade, because income, costs and structures vary considerably between dentists. The points below are common considerations rather than universal ones, and which apply to you will depend on how you work and how your practice is set up.
- Separating and reconciling NHS contract income, private fees and any other streams so that each is reported accurately
- Understanding how associate dentist arrangements affect tax reporting, expense claims and any payments made on your behalf
- Recording professional expenses correctly, including indemnity cover, professional subscriptions and continuing professional development
- Dealing with dental equipment, specialist fixtures and capital expenditure, including how costs are treated and relieved over time
- Managing staff payroll and employment costs for practice teams, including pensions where applicable
- Keeping bookkeeping and financial records in a condition that supports Self Assessment, annual accounts and any VAT obligations
- Reviewing whether a partnership or limited company structure continues to suit the way the practice operates
Why Dentists Work With CruseBurke
Genuine Dental Expertise
We know UDAs, superannuation, associate agreements and GDC costs without being told.
Built Around Your Practice
Associates, principals and multi-site groups each get a different service, not a template.
Fixed, Transparent Fees
One agreed monthly fee with no hourly billing and no surprises at year end.
Proactive Dental Tax Planning
Incorporation reviews, capital allowances on equipment and profit extraction planned in advance.
Named Accountant, Real Answers
You deal with the same qualified person every time, by phone or email, not a call centre.
A Track Record Since Before WWII
Our roots go back further than the Second World War and we act for dental clients across London.
Our Simple Three-Step Process
1. Initial Consultation (It’s Free):
We begin by getting to know your practice and understanding your unique needs. This step ensures we have a clear picture of your operations and your goals.
2. Customised Plan:
Based on our initial discussion, we create a personalised plan designed specifically for you. The aim is to keep everything organised and easy to follow. You can rest assured that your numbers are being handled with expert precision.
3. Ongoing Support & Updates:
From there, we take care of the ongoing work and keep you updated with reports. You’ll always know what’s happening, and we’re always here to answer your questions, ensuring you have a clear picture of your financial health at all times.
Professional Standards and a Practical Approach
Technology Driven
Cloud accounting linked to your practice software so your figures are current, not six months old.
Named Dental Accountant
A dedicated accountant for dentists who knows your practice, your contract and your plans.
Ongoing Support
Unlimited support by phone and email, including quick answers on UDA and superannuation queries.
Experienced Team
Our team has over 100 years of combined accountancy experience.
Free - Email Reminders
Never Miss any deadline with our automated email reminders.
Yes, We Are Chartered!
We’re an ICAEW, ACCA & AAT accredited Firm.
How to Switch to Our Dental Accountants
Take a back seat and let our London dental accountants handle everything. Switching mid-year is straightforward and you do not need to speak to your old accountant:
Get in touch
Reach out to us and we will discuss your practice, your contract and how we can help.
Letter of Engagement
We’ll send over a simple letter to formalise our partnership and get everything in motion.
Previous Accountants
If you're switching, we’ll take care of contacting your previous accountants to make the transition smooth.
We Do the Rest
From there, sit back and relax. We’ll manage your accounts, taxes, and everything in between, keeping your practice running smoothly.
FAQs
An associate dentist working on a self-employed basis normally reports income and allowable expenses through Self Assessment, and the main considerations tend to be accurate recording of sessions worked, treatment income and expenses such as indemnity cover, professional subscriptions, registration fees and travel between practices. A practice owner faces a broader set of responsibilities, which can include staff payroll, premises costs, equipment, VAT, and the preparation of annual accounts and a tax return for the trading entity itself. Some dentists combine both roles, in which case the reporting needs to reflect every income source separately.
Yes. Where a dentist or practice receives NHS contract income alongside private fees, it is important that each stream is recorded and reconciled correctly so that the figures reported are accurate and any VAT position is considered properly. We look at how your income is received, how it is documented and how it should be reflected in your bookkeeping, accounts and returns. The treatment can vary depending on whether the income belongs to you personally or to a practice entity.
There are a number of costs commonly associated with dental work that may be allowable, depending on your circumstances and how the expense relates to your professional activity. These can include GDC registration and professional body subscriptions, indemnity or professional insurance, continuing professional development, specialist clothing and certain equipment costs. Whether a particular expense is deductible, and in what proportion, depends on the facts, so it is worth reviewing your costs with an accountant rather than assuming a standard answer.
VAT depends on your turnover, the services you provide and how they are treated for VAT purposes, so it is not something that can be decided without looking at your specific situation. Some dental services and supplies are treated differently from others, and mixed NHS and private work can add further complexity. If you are approaching or have passed the relevant registration threshold, or you are unsure whether certain treatments fall within scope, we can review your position and explain the options available to you.
Most dentists find it easiest to provide income summaries from each source, details of practice or associate payments, bank and card statements, invoices for professional costs, equipment purchases, mileage or travel records, pension contributions and any previous tax returns or accounts. If you use accounting software, we can usually work from that directly. Where records are incomplete, we can help you reconstruct the picture and put a system in place so future years are simpler.
Yes, switching accountants is usually a straightforward process. We would normally ask for your authorisation to contact your existing accountant and request the relevant records, including prior accounts, tax returns and information held with HMRC. The timing matters most if a return or payment deadline is approaching, so it is worth planning the changeover around your filing dates. Once everything is transferred, we review the position and confirm what needs to be done next.
Payroll is a common requirement for practice owners who employ receptionists, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists or other staff, and it can also arise where associates are paid through the practice. This involves calculating pay, accounting for tax and National Insurance, dealing with pension duties where they apply, and providing payslips and reporting to HMRC. We can manage the payroll process for you or review how it is currently handled.
There is no single answer that suits every practice. Partnerships are common where two or more dentists work together and share profits, while a limited company can offer a different approach to profit extraction, ownership and liability, and brings its own filing and reporting obligations. The right structure depends on your profits, how you want to take income, your plans for growth or sale, and your personal circumstances. We can compare the options and explain the practical implications before you decide.