Specialist Accountants for Dentists & Dental Practices
Accountants for Dentists in Cheltenham: Specialist Tax and Accounting Support for Dental Professionals
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Who We Support: Associates, Principals and Dental Practice Owners
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 and Dental Practices
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 and Tax Considerations for Dentists and Dental Practices
Dental accounting often involves more moving parts than a typical small business, because income, costs and tax treatment can vary according to how you are engaged, what you are paid for and the structure you trade through. The points below are common considerations rather than issues every dentist or practice will face.
- Managing NHS contract income, private treatment fees and dental plan payments so each is recorded, reconciled and reported correctly.
- Associate dentist arrangements, including UDA or UOA-based pay, self-employed status and knowing which expenses sit with the associate rather than the practice.
- Professional expenses such as indemnity cover, GDC registration, professional body subscriptions and CPD, and whether they can be claimed in your particular circumstances.
- Equipment, surgery fit-outs and other capital expenditure, where the timing and method of claiming relief can affect your tax position.
- Staff payroll and employment costs for receptionists, nurses, hygienists and any associates paid through the practice, including pensions where applicable.
- Bookkeeping and record keeping across several income streams, with the VAT treatment of mixed NHS and private supplies adding a further layer when turnover reaches the relevant level.
Why Dentists Choose CruseBurke for Their Accounting
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.
A Straightforward Three-Step Process for Dental Clients
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 Practices
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
The role goes well beyond filing a tax return once a year. For dentists and dental practices, it typically involves preparing and maintaining bookkeeping records, reconciling NHS contract payments and private fees, preparing annual accounts, completing Self Assessment tax returns or Corporation Tax returns, running payroll for practice staff and associates, handling VAT registration and returns where relevant, and advising on tax planning matters such as equipment purchases, profit extraction or a practice purchase or sale. The exact mix depends on whether you work as an associate, a partner or through a limited company.
Many associate dentists need some form of accounting support even without owning a practice. Self-employed associates are generally responsible for their own Self Assessment tax return, which means tracking income from one or more practices, keeping evidence of allowable expenses and managing payments on account to HMRC. Some associates are engaged as employees instead, in which case tax is usually handled through PAYE, although other income or additional roles can still create a filing obligation. It is worth checking how your contract actually treats you, as the answer affects what you need to do.
The treatment depends on who is receiving the income and through what structure. For self-employed dentists and partners, profits from NHS and private work are generally taxed together through Self Assessment, although the way NHS contract payments arrive and are reconciled can make record keeping more involved than a single trading income figure. Where the practice trades through a limited company, income belongs to the company and is taxed differently, with salaries, dividends and pension contributions planned around the company's profits. Because the detail matters, it is worth having your specific arrangements reviewed rather than relying on a general rule.
There is no single answer that suits every dental practice. A sole principal trading alone, a partnership of two or more dentists, and an incorporated practice with company directors each carry different tax, administrative and liability considerations. Incorporation can be beneficial in some circumstances but it is not automatically better, and factors such as expected profits, how much you draw from the business, pension contributions, whether the premises are owned or leased, and any longer-term plans to sell the practice all affect the decision. It is a question worth modelling before you commit.
Expenses that are incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the dental business may be allowable, which often includes indemnity cover, GDC registration, professional body subscriptions, relevant CPD, specialist clothing and its upkeep, laboratory costs and practice running expenses. Capital items such as equipment and surgery fit-outs are treated differently from day-to-day costs, and rules on mixed private use, home office claims and travel between sites can also affect what qualifies. Because the position varies from one dentist to another, expense claims are usually reviewed against your actual working arrangements rather than applied as a standard list.
VAT registration depends on your taxable turnover and the nature of the supplies you make, so it is not automatic for every dental practice. NHS contract income, private treatment, laboratory work and other services can be treated differently, and a practice may be dealing with a mixture of supplies rather than one straightforward category. Before registering, and before reclaiming VAT on costs, it is important to establish the correct position for your own treatment mix, as getting it wrong can be costly to unwind.
As a starting point, it helps to have details of how you work and what you earn from each source — for example NHS contract payments, private fees, plan scheme income or associate pay — along with your business structure and any HMRC references. Copies of your previous accounts or tax returns, recent bookkeeping records, payroll information if you employ staff, VAT records where applicable and any relevant correspondence from HMRC are all useful. If records are incomplete, that is not unusual, and part of the initial work is often tidying up the position before moving forward.
Switching accountants is generally a straightforward process and can often be handled with minimal disruption, usually by obtaining your existing records and confirming the change with HMRC where needed. Fees are agreed in advance and are based on the work involved, such as the type of accounts, the number of income sources, whether payroll or VAT is included and the condition of your records, so they will differ from one dental client to another. The first conversation is about understanding what you need before any figures are discussed.