QAD Dental
QAD Dental
QAD Dental is a private practice based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire under the lead of Dr Samantha Koch BSc (GDC number 229027). The practice was founded in 1989 and today focuses on private cosmetic dental work such as implants and Invislaign.
Blog By:
SamanthaKochQAD
SamanthaKochQAD

SharePostShareShare

How to Manage a Dental Practice Expansion

10/20/2026 10:17:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 64
Commercially, it was an exciting opportunity. The particular practice came with very low rent and business rates and was in a village/small town with a lot of footfall. 

Whether you are opening a second practice or adding more surgeries to your existing premises, understanding the costs and risks before you begin is essential.

Choose the Right Location

Research the local population, patient demand and competition before committing to new premises. Consider accessibility, parking, public transport and the availability of NHS and private dental services in the area.

Check whether the building is suitable for dental use, including its plumbing, electrical supply, ventilation and accessibility. Rent, business rates and renovation costs should also be included in your budget. A lower-cost property may require expensive alterations, so arrange a professional survey before signing a lease or purchasing a building.

In the UK, a lot of dental practices are based inside hospitals, which gives them a clinical environment with a lot of parking and heavy footfall. 

Maintain the Quality of Your Work

Expansion should never come at the expense of patient care. Taking on more patients can put pressure on appointments, staff and clinical processes, so make sure your team can maintain consistent standards as the business grows.

Review patient feedback, complaints and treatment outcomes before expanding. Establish clear procedures for infection control, record-keeping and clinical audits, particularly if you are opening another location. In England, check the relevant Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration requirements before opening or changing your services.

Decide What Type of Dental Work to Offer

Consider whether you want to expand general dentistry or introduce treatments such as dental implants, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry or teeth whitening. Research local demand and use patient enquiries and existing appointment data to identify opportunities.

I wrote in my last piece that more and more dentists are moving forwards aesthetic and cosmetic work like teeth whitening, composite bonding and Invisalign - and this trend seems to be consistent.

Before introducing specialist or higher-cost treatments, assess the training, equipment and staffing required. Every service should be clinically appropriate and financially viable.

The Cost of Kitting Out a New Dental Practice

Cost

Estimated price

Decorating and signage

£10,000

New dental chair and treatment unit

£12,000–£45,000 per surgery

Digital intraoral X-ray and sensor

£6,000–£22,000

Panoramic X-ray machine (OPG)

£18,000–£45,000

Intraoral scanner

£14,000–£35,000

Autoclave / sterilisation equipment

£3,500–£9,000

Compressor and suction system

£5,000–£12,000

Decontamination room fit-out

£8,000–£20,000

Dental instruments and initial supplies

£7,000–£15,000 per surgery

Reception furniture and cabinetry

£5,000–£15,000

Computers, phones and IT equipment

£3,000–£8,000

Practice management software

£2,000–£8,000 setup and first year

New website and SEO

£10,000

Initial marketing and launch campaign

£2,000–£10,000

CQC registration and compliance setup

£3,000–£6,000

CQC annual fee (England)

£598–£846 for a single location, depending on chair numbers

Radiation protection and safety advice

£1,000–£3,000

Professional indemnity and business insurance

£2,000–£8,000 per year

Solicitor and accountant fees

£3,000–£10,000

Property deposit and initial rent

£10,000–£40,000

Annual rent

£20,000–£60,000+

Business rates

£5,000–£20,000 per year before any applicable relief

Utilities and waste disposal

£5,000–£12,000 per year

Recruitment and staff training

£5,000–£15,000

Initial wages and working capital

£30,000–£75,000

Contingency for unexpected costs

10–15% of fit-out and equipment costs

What Are The Funding Requirements For a New Dental Practice?

The amount you need depends on whether you are adding surgeries, refurbishing existing premises or opening a completely new practice. As a broad guide, a new two-surgery practice could require £180,000–£320,000 for the overall project, including premises, fit-out, equipment and initial working capital.

Funding options include business loans, asset finance, commercial mortgages, equipment finance and retained profits. Equipment finance allows you to spread the cost of chairs and scanners rather than paying everything upfront.

Personally, I used Acceptance who secured me a rate of 5% APR and borrowed over £100,000 towards my practice. Additionally, I used a credit facility from Capital on Tap to help me draw down money as and when I need it. The rates are higher with Capital on Tap at around 30% APR, but it comes with things like points and cash back which is a nice bonus.

Is The Funding Secured Against The Practice? 

This depends, with Acceptance, I went through the unsecured route, and I should be able to pay this off in 5 years. With asset finance, which is secured against the property and all the equipment, they would have covered pretty much all the costs, but I am then indebted to them for the next 10 years - and this is not something I wanted. 

I wanted to have enough working capital to cover wages, rent, supplies and loan repayments while patient numbers grow. A dental finance specialist and accountant can help you compare the options and understand the risks before signing.

Recruiting Staff and Managing the Expansion

Personally, I moved over 3 staff from my existing practice to help the new one get set up and train up the new people. Finding new people is always difficult and you want to avoid agency staff who are expensive and never long-term. But when decorating the premises, we put up a sign outside saying ‘now hiring’ and lo and behold, we did get one person who was qualified and has started working with us.

Recruit dentists, dental nurses, hygienists and reception staff early enough to prepare for opening. Ensure the team has the skills and training needed for your planned treatments, and appoint a practice manager if the additional workload requires one.

Create a realistic timeline for building work, equipment installation, recruitment and regulatory requirements. Allow a contingency for unexpected costs and delays.

Splitting my time between both practices is tricky, but it is fortunately just 20 minutes from my other practice which helps.

How We Marketed The New Practice

We had the website and SEO all firing before we moved into the new practice. In addition, we put up big signage outside, gave flyers to local businesses on the high street offering free consultations for first time visitors and we did a big leaflet drop to all the homes in the area - and we slowly started to see new patients trickle in.

Successful dental practice expansion requires careful decisions about location, clinical quality, treatment types, equipment and funding. By understanding the costs, arranging suitable finance and maintaining high standards of patient care, you can build a sustainable practice with room to grow.


Category: Practice Management, HR and Accounting
SharePostShareShare
You must be logged in to view comments.
More In Practice Management, HR and Accounting
ADAPT: The Science & Practice of Emotional Intelligence in Dentistry
ADAPT: The Science & Practice of Emotional Intelligence in...
Dr. Jason Luchtefeld
CE Credits: 1
Comfort Dental
Comfort Dental
December 2025
Creating a Remarkable Dental Practice: How to Thrive!
Creating a Remarkable Dental Practice: How to Thrive!
Fred Joyal
CE Credits: 1.25
Online CE: Practice Management, HR and Accounting
Online CE: Practice Management, HR and Accounting
by Dr. Nareg Apelian
May 2026
Total Blog Activity
997
Total Bloggers
13,451
Total Blog Posts
4,671
Total Podcasts
1,788
Total Videos
Dentaltown Magazine
October 2026
Dentaltown Magazine October 2026 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Who or what do you turn to for most financial advice regarding your practice?