Business loans for dentists

• Cash flow challenge: Dentists often require substantial upfront capital to purchase or expand a practice, invest in specialist equipment, and manage cash flow before revenue stabilises.

• Perfect for: Dentists buying into a practice, acquiring an existing dental surgery, upgrading equipment, refurbishing premises, or strengthening working capital.
  

Owning or expanding a dental practice is a significant professional milestone. Whether you are purchasing your first practice, buying into a partnership, or modernising facilities, structured finance can help ensure growth plans are achievable and sustainable.

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What can business loans for dentists be used for?

Funding can support a wide range of dental practice needs, including:

• Purchasing an existing dental practice
• Buying into a partnership or acquiring equity
• Refinancing existing practice debt
• Refurbishing surgery rooms or reception areas
• Investing in new dental chairs and digital imaging systems
• Funding specialist equipment such as CAD/CAM scanners or sterilisation units

Clearly defining the purpose of funding helps ensure the most appropriate structure is selected.

Funding options available for dental practices

There are several business loan routes available depending on the size of the project and the structure of the practice.

Unsecured business loans

Unsecured loans may be suitable for practice upgrades, smaller acquisitions, or working capital needs. They do not require property as security and can offer flexibility, particularly for established practices with strong financial performance.

Secured business loans

For larger acquisitions or property-backed expansion, secured loans may allow access to higher borrowing amounts and longer repayment terms. Security is typically provided in the form of property or practice assets.

Asset finance

Asset finance can help spread the cost of high-value dental equipment. This enables practices to invest in modern technology while preserving working capital for day-to-day operations.

Development finance

If you are undertaking significant refurbishment, structural alterations, or new premises development, development finance may provide staged funding aligned with project milestones.

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Buying a dental practice: what to consider

Practice acquisition finance is one of the most common funding needs for dentists.

When applying for acquisition funding, lenders will often assess:

• Historical financial performance of the practice
• Valuation multiples
• NHS contract income versus private revenue
• Your professional experience and management capability
• Projected cash flow post-acquisition

Taking a measured approach to due diligence can help ensure the borrowing structure supports long-term stability rather than short-term pressure.

NHS vs private practice considerations

Revenue models can differ significantly between NHS and private dental practices. NHS contracts may provide predictable income streams, while private practices may offer higher margins but more variable revenue.

Understanding how lenders assess these income models can support a smoother funding application.

How much can dentists borrow?

Loan amounts will depend on:

• Practice profitability
• Acquisition value
• Deposit available
• Security offered (if applicable)
• Personal and business credit profile

For acquisition finance, borrowing may extend into higher-value ranges compared to standard SME lending, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of dental practices.

How Novuna Business Cash Flow can help

At Novuna Business Cash Flow, we support professional practices with structured funding solutions aligned to their stage of growth.

Get in touch with us today and we can help you find you a great deal for you situation.