Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices
Accountants for Dentists in Chatteris — Tax, Accounts and Payroll Support
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Accounting Support for Dentists and Dental Practices
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 That Dentists Commonly Face
Dental accounting is rarely a case of recording one salary and a handful of expenses. Income can arrive from several directions at once, costs are often specific to clinical practice, and the tax treatment of a purchase, a subscription or a contract payment can depend on how your business is structured. The areas below are the ones that most often need attention.
- NHS and private income: dental earnings can come from multiple sources, and keeping NHS contract income separate from private fees makes reporting and any VAT considerations easier to handle.
- Associate dentist arrangements: associates are often treated as self-employed, so the way earnings, laboratory bills and agreed expenses are recorded can affect the Self Assessment position.
- Professional expenses and indemnity costs: subscriptions, registration fees, indemnity cover and clinical clothing may be allowable, but the position depends on your employment status and the purpose of the cost.
- Dental equipment and capital expenditure: chairs, imaging equipment and surgery fit-outs may qualify for capital allowances, and the treatment can differ from ordinary running costs.
- Staff payroll and employment costs: practices employing nurses, receptionists, hygienists or managers need to manage PAYE, pension obligations and associated employment costs correctly.
- VAT and practice cash flow: a mix of exempt and taxable supplies, alongside irregular treatment income, can make registration decisions and VAT reporting more involved than expected.
- Partnerships and limited companies: the structure you trade through affects how profits are reported, how tax is paid and how drawings or salaries are arranged.
Why Dentists Choose 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.
Built Around Dental Accounting, Not a Generic Template
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
Many associate dentists find professional support useful, particularly where income is received from more than one practice, laboratory bills are deducted, or costs such as indemnity cover and professional subscriptions need to be claimed. As an associate you are usually treated as self-employed for tax purposes, which means registering with HMRC, filing a Self Assessment tax return and keeping records that support the figures you report. An accountant can help you identify what is allowable, prepare the return and plan ahead for the tax that will fall due.
NHS contract income and private treatment fees are usually recorded separately so that reporting, and any VAT considerations, can be dealt with properly. Depending on your structure, NHS income may be received by the practice and then allocated to principals or associates in different ways, so the records need to reflect the actual arrangements rather than an assumed pattern. We review how your income flows, make sure it is recorded consistently and prepare the accounts and returns that follow.
Common claims include professional body subscriptions, registration fees, indemnity insurance, clinical clothing, laboratory bills where relevant, and equipment used in your work. Whether an expense is allowable depends on your employment status and the reason for the cost — employed dentists are generally more restricted in what they can claim, while self-employed dentists and practice owners may be able to claim a wider range. Capital items such as equipment can be treated differently from day-to-day running costs, so it is worth reviewing larger purchases rather than assuming the treatment.
There is no single right answer. Sole trader and partnership structures remain common among smaller practices, while a limited company may suit practice owners who want a separate legal entity and different options for extracting profit. The most suitable choice depends on your profits, how many principals are involved, your plans for growth or an eventual sale, and your personal circumstances. We can talk through the tax and administrative implications of each route so you can make an informed decision.
VAT registration depends on your turnover and the nature of the services you provide, and the rules around healthcare-related supplies are not always straightforward. Many dental services are exempt, but cosmetic treatments and certain other supplies may be treated differently, which can affect whether registration is required and how much VAT you can recover on costs. The position varies between practices, so it is worth reviewing your income streams and purchases before deciding.
Records should cover all income received, whether from NHS contracts, private fees, employed earnings or locum work, along with receipts and invoices for costs such as indemnity cover, subscriptions, laboratory work, equipment and premises costs. Bank statements, payroll records and any VAT records should be kept alongside them. Digital bookkeeping makes this far easier to manage month to month, and well-kept records reduce the pressure at year end and make it simpler to answer questions from HMRC if they arise.
Switching is usually more straightforward than dentists expect. We ask for some basic information about your current arrangements, contact your existing accountant to request the relevant records and professional clearance, and then review the figures already prepared. Any outstanding returns or deadlines are identified early so nothing is overlooked. Once everything is in place, we take over the bookkeeping, accounts and tax work and confirm how the arrangement will run going forward.
Support can range from bookkeeping and record keeping through to annual accounts, Self Assessment tax returns, Corporation Tax, partnership returns, payroll for practice staff and VAT reporting. Many dentists also want help with tax planning around profits, equipment purchases, practice expansion or an eventual sale. The scope should always reflect your circumstances — an associate dentist with a single income source will usually need far less than a practice owner with employees, premises and multiple contracts.