Moving between mixed NHS, private and fully independent practice can be financially attractive, but headline earnings rarely tell the whole story. Dentists should assess each offer against realistic workload, patient list quality, private conversion potential, clinical autonomy and the level of support available from the practice. A strong offer should be commercially appealing without relying on unrealistic UDA pace, weak patient flow or excessive restrictions on clinical decision-making.
1. UDA Target Viability and Output Metrics
To assess the feasibility of an NHS contract, calculate the required clinical pace:
Required UDAs per hour = Annual UDA target ÷ (Total working days × Clinical hours per day)
While there is no universally mandated upper limit, a standard full-time NHS practitioner typically delivers between 5,000 and 9,000 UDAs annually, with per-UDA values roughly ranging from £14 to £16.50 (subject to regional and experiential variations). If an offer mandates a pace substantially exceeding these parameters, the clinician must scrutinise the practice’s historical associate retention and structural support.
2. Demographic and Patient List Quality
Mixed practices: evaluate the established conversion rate for private adjunct treatments (e.g., hygiene services, aligners, and cosmetic composite work). Determine whether the list represents a stable maintenance demographic or is heavily skewed toward high-needs emergency interventions.
Fully private practices: establish whether the incoming associate is inheriting a transferrable, established list or is expected to generate a primary patient base through marketing channels over which they hold no direct control.
3. Material and Clinical Autonomy
The fundamental advantage of private practice is compromised if the provider enforces restrictive formularies. Contracts should guarantee the associate’s unilateral authority over material selection and laboratory partnerships.
Frequently asked questions
How should dentists compare associate offers?
Dentists should look beyond headline income and assess workload, UDA pace, patient list quality, private potential, support and clinical autonomy.
What makes a UDA target risky?
A target may be risky if it depends on unrealistic speed, poor patient flow, weak nursing support or unclear clawback terms.
What should private practice offers include?
Private roles should clarify patient source, list quality, fee structure, materials, lab choice and marketing expectations.
Related reading: contract red flags guidance, restrictive covenants guidance and tax status guidance.
Ready to evaluate the market? Horizon Dental Jobs provides access to rigorously vetted permanent associate roles across both mixed and private sectors.