Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices
Specialist Accountants for Dentists in Cheadle Hulme
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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.
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.
Common Financial and Accounting Considerations for Dental Practices
Dental accounting tends to involve a few recurring themes, though which ones matter most depends on how you work, how you are paid and how your business is structured. The points below are common considerations rather than rules that apply to every dentist.
- Managing NHS and private income, including practice plan fees and self-pay treatment, and keeping clear records of each income stream
- Associate dentist arrangements, such as UDA or percentage-based pay, laboratory costs and the expenses an associate may be able to claim
- Professional expenses and indemnity cover, including GDC and professional body subscriptions, insurance and continuing professional development costs
- Dental equipment, materials and capital expenditure, and how the timing and treatment of larger purchases can affect your tax position
- Dental practice payroll, covering receptionists, nurses, hygienists, managers and, in some cases, associate dentists
- Bookkeeping, VAT and financial records, particularly where turnover approaches a registration threshold or where mixed income complicates reporting
- Business structure questions, including whether a partnership or limited company is the right fit as a practice grows or new partners join
- Practice cash flow, profit share and tax administration, including how drawings, distributions and payment on account affect planning through the year
Why Dentists and Dental Practices 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 Support Built Around Dental Professionals
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
In most cases, yes. A self-employed associate dentist is generally treated as carrying on a profession, which means profits need to be reported through Self Assessment, even where tax is deducted at source on part of the income. The return will usually need to reflect gross fees, allowable expenses such as indemnity insurance, professional subscriptions, laboratory costs where you bear them, and any other relevant costs. The exact position can vary depending on the terms of your contract with the practice, so it is worth reviewing your agreement rather than assuming a standard treatment applies.
Both NHS and private dental income are generally taxable, but they can arrive in different forms and be recorded under different arrangements. NHS income may come through a contract held by the practice, while private income may flow from individual treatment fees, membership plans or insurance schemes. Keeping the two clearly separated in your records helps ensure that income is reported correctly and that the associated costs, such as materials, laboratory work and practice overheads, are matched against the right income stream.
Expenses generally need to be incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of your dental work, and whether a cost qualifies depends on your circumstances and your business structure. Commonly considered items include professional indemnity insurance, GDC and professional body subscriptions, continuing professional development, specialist equipment, and certain travel between practice locations. Claiming for costs that are partly private, such as some clothing, technology or vehicle use, requires careful apportionment, so it is worth checking the treatment before including anything in your return.
There is no single answer, because the right structure depends on your income level, how many people are involved in the practice, your appetite for administration and your plans for the future. Associates often work as sole traders, practice owners may operate as a partnership with other principals, and some dentists trade through a limited company where the numbers and circumstances support it. Each structure carries different rules on tax, National Insurance, reporting and profit extraction, so the decision is usually best made after looking at your specific figures rather than in the abstract.
Yes. Dental practice payroll can cover receptionists, dental nurses, hygienists, therapists, practice managers and principals, and each group can be treated differently depending on their contract and employment status. Associates are a particular area of confusion, because some are engaged as self-employed contractors while others are treated as employees, and the correct treatment affects PAYE, National Insurance and the paperwork the practice needs to keep. Reviewing the arrangements properly helps avoid falling into the wrong category.
VAT treatment for dental services is not straightforward, because some treatments may be exempt while others are standard-rated, and the position can differ between NHS work, private treatment and cosmetic services. A practice may also need to consider whether its turnover, including exempt income, requires registration or affects its ability to reclaim VAT on costs. Because the rules depend on the exact services provided, VAT questions are usually best reviewed in detail rather than answered with a general rule of thumb.
As early as possible is usually advisable. A practice purchase or sale involves valuations, goodwill, equipment, premises, contracts and the tax consequences of how the deal is structured, and those points are easier to manage before terms are agreed rather than afterwards. Existing accounting records also form part of the due diligence picture, so having them accurate and up to date can make the process smoother. Early involvement gives more room to consider the options and their financial implications.
It helps to have your most recent tax return, accounts or self-employment records, details of your contract or contracts with any practices, and information on your income sources, expenses and any staff or subcontractors involved. If you operate through a limited company or partnership, you will also need the relevant company or partnership records, bank statements and VAT information where applicable. If your records are incomplete or behind, that can usually be worked through, so it should not hold you back from making an enquiry.