Samera Finance is an FCA-authorised commercial finance broker working exclusively with UK dentists. We’ve raised over £100 million in dental practice finance since 2004 – from first practice acquisitions to multi-site group deals. We act for you, not the lender. That means you get better options, better terms, and a faster process than going direct to a bank. There’s no fee to you for our service – we’re paid by the lender when a deal completes.
20+ Years Experience
100’s of Dentists Helped
Over £100 Mil Raised
Speak to a Dental Finance Specialist
Whether you are looking to raise finance for a new practice or want expert advice on managing and growing the one you have, our specialists are here to help. Book a free, no-obligation consultation with the right person for your situation.
Uros Turcic
Commercial Finance Broker
NACFB Assured | FCA Authorised
Speak to Uros Turcic
Speak to Uros about raising finance for your dental practice. Since joining Samera in 2020, he has worked directly with dentists, leading banks and specialist healthcare lenders to arrange finance for practice acquisitions, start-ups, expansions and improvements. Uros works with dentists at every stage, from associates buying their first practice to established owners expanding to multiple sites.
Speak with Uros
Arun Mehra
CEO and Founder, Samera
FCA | Xero Gold Partner
Speak to Arun
Speak to Arun about managing and structuring the finance for your business. Arun founded Samera in 2002 and has spent the last 23 years working exclusively with dentists and healthcare professionals on their accounts, tax and business finances. He is a Fellow of the ICAEW and a dental practice owner himself, which means the advice Samera gives is grounded in direct experience of running the kind of business our clients operate.
Speak with ArunSend Our Team a Message
Contact Information
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Estimate Your Dental Practice Loan Repayments
Use our calculator to estimate the monthly repayments and total cost of a dental practice loan based on your borrowing amount, term length and interest rate.
Not sure what type of finance you need? Read our complete guide to financing a dental practice.
What We Can Help Dentists Raise Finance For
Whatever stage you are at, there is a finance solution available to you. Here is a breakdown of the main types of dental practice finance we arrange, and what each one is typically used for.
Apply for Dental Practice Finance
in 5 Quick Steps
In these 5 quick and easy steps, you can find out what your options are, how much it will cost and which finance deal is right for you.
1
Book Your Free Consultation
Talk to our team about what you’re looking to finance – whether it’s buying a practice, purchasing equipment, refurbishing or covering cash flow. We’ll help you understand your options and how much you could realistically borrow.
2
Start Your Application Online
We will send you a secure form to start the process. Share a few key details about yourself and your practice so we can assess your needs and get to work finding the right options for you.
3
Gather Your Paperwork
We’ll guide you through exactly what lenders need, typically accounts, bank statements, ID and practice information. We keep it simple with a clear checklist so nothing gets missed.
4
Submit Everything in One Place
Send your documents directly to our team. We handle all lender communication on your behalf, negotiating the best terms available so you don’t have to deal with the banks directly.
5
Choose the Right Funding Option
We search the whole market and present you with the most suitable offers. You decide which one best fits your goals and budget, and we’ll be there to advise you every step of the way.
Why Dentists Choose Samera Finance Brokers
We are an FCA-authorised commercial finance broker specialising entirely in the dental sector.
We know what a strong application looks like, which lenders are most likely to say yes and when the terms on the table can be improved.
Being an independent broker, we approach a wide range of banks and alternative lenders to ensure we find a deal that most benefits your business.
We act exclusively for you – we’re not tied to any lender and earn no commission from pushing you towards a particular product.
- 20+ years’ experience working with UK dentists
- Over £100 million raised in dental practice finance
- Hundreds of dentists successfully supported
- FCA-authorised and NACFB member
- Shortlisted for NACFB Commercial Mortgage Broker of the Year 2021 and 2022
- Strong relationships with all major healthcare lenders
What Our Clients Say
Rated 5 stars by hundreds of UK dentists!
“It took only days to get the finance in place … with valuable advice that saves me much time and money! Basically if you want a result call Samera!”
Skinnergate Dental
“Been with Samera since 2008 when we bought our first dental practice, their knowledge and expertise is second to none not least because they also own their own dental practices, putting them in a unique position in terms of their knowledge and advice for the Dental Industry.”
Arj
“Originally recommended by a close friend for commercial finance but ended up helping will all aspects of my first practice purchase- from sifting through prospectuses, business plans, viability and securing great deals on the loans. No question was too silly and … available around the clock. Thoroughly appreciate having honest expert advice in what typically is your most expensive purchase.”
Mayoor
“An absolute pleasure. His extensive industry connections enable him to find the best deals available, and his responsiveness and approachability make the entire process seamless. Highly recommended for anyone in need of a reliable finance broker!”
Mahinthan
“The biggest worry that I personally had, by far, was how difficult, how long we would be waiting, and how full of hiccups the finance process would be. I say this with sincerity, that thanks to Samera, it has been, by far, the single most straight forward part of the journey. … work ethic is a breath of fresh air, and we would not hesitate to recommend them.”
Alana
“Very quick to get me the finance I had struggled for several years to get. I will definitely be using this service again in the future!”
Michael
“Great service, really paid attention to our needs and offered us the appropriate advice. In particular we were impressed with the time, dedication and focus given to help us finance our acquisition of a dental practice with good rates. We also managed to stay in communication during unsociable hours which really made the process convenient for us. Very helpful.”
Our Recent Deals
We Sourced
£1,475,000
For the purchase of a first practice and freehold in the Midlands.
We Sourced
£1,100,000
Refinance agreed to cover original bank debt and a substantial amount of short term debt.
We Sourced
£800,000
For a second practice on the South Coast.
We Sourced
£360,000
Refinance of a start-up loan to reduce the rate of interest and assist the client’s cashflow.
We Sourced
£1,050,000
For the purchase of a first Dental Practice, including the goodwill and freehold, in Somerset.
We Sourced
£53,000
Asset finance for the equipment in a private start-up practice based in Warwickshire.
Case Studies
First-time buyer secures 100% LTV on £1.05m goodwill and freehold acquisition – with price reductions on both
Commercial loan
£1,050,000
LTV
100%
Lender
Lloyds
Time to completion
6 months
The Situation
A first-time buyer wanted to acquire their first dental practice – goodwill and freehold combined, totalling approximately £1,050,000. The client had no prior acquisition experience and needed finance, negotiation support and professional guidance through every stage of a complex transaction.
What We Did
We took the deal to the whole market and presented the client with a range of competitive offers so they could compare terms rather than take the first option available. Lloyds Banking Group came out on top with the strongest rates and 100% LTV – meaning the client needed no personal deposit. Once the finance was agreed, the real work began. The freehold valuation came back approximately £100,000 under the asking price – a shortfall that would normally fall on the buyer to cover. We supported the negotiation and the seller agreed to reduce the price, eliminating that gap entirely. On the goodwill side, Arun Mehra FCA’s deep experience in the dental market helped the client push the price down further. The directors’ loan accounts in the SPA became a protracted negotiation, with Natasha Gnanapragasam in our accountancy team working closely with the solicitors to get it resolved and the transaction over the line.
The Result
Transaction completed in six months. The client acquired their first dental practice – goodwill and freehold – at 100% LTV with no deposit required, a freehold price reduction of approximately £100,000, and a further reduction on goodwill through negotiation. A first-time buyer who backed themselves through a complex process now owns the practice they wanted.
Start-up Dental Practice Secures £333k Funding Package to Keep Launch Costs Manageable.
Commercial loan
£235,000
Asset finance
£98,000
Total funding
£333,000
Time to completion
3 months
The Situation
A dentist in the Thames Valley was launching a 2-surgery private practice and needed to fund both the commercial facility and the clinical equipment. The challenge was keeping the upfront cash contribution manageable – a single loan facility wasn’t the right fit for the structure of the deal.
What We Did
We produced lender-ready financial projections and packaged the bank application with a clear narrative around the practice’s viability. Rather than pursuing a single facility, we structured the funding as a blend: a commercial loan for the premises and a separate asset finance facility for the equipment. This approach reduced the upfront cash requirement and gave the lender a cleaner security position on each element.
The Result
Blended funding package approved and the practice launched. Commercial loan of £235,000 plus asset finance of £98,000 agreed, with completion in 3 months.
£1.7m Acquisition Funded Across Two Facilities with Clean Property and Goodwill Split.
Freehold (SPV)
£500,000
Goodwill (asset purchase)
£1,200,000
Total funding
£1,700,000
Time to completion
12 months
The Situation
A dentist acquiring a 3-surgery mixed NHS/private practice in Gloucestershire needed to fund both the freehold property and the practice goodwill. The structure required two aligned facilities – one for a property SPV and one for the trading entity purchasing the goodwill via an asset purchase – while keeping the overall approach lender-friendly.
What We Did
We managed the commercial loan strategy across both facilities, prepared and submitted the bank applications, and coordinated the split-funding approach so that the property and goodwill could complete under the correct legal entities. The narrative presented to lenders clearly separated the security and rationale for each facility.
The Result
Freehold and goodwill funding approved under a clean two-loan structure: approximately £500,000 for the property SPV and £1,200,000 for the goodwill acquisition. Transaction completed in 12 months.
£1.2m Somerset Acquisition Structured Across HoldCo and PropCo with Clean Entity Separation.
Goodwill (HoldCo)
£800,000
Freehold (PropCo)
£400,000
Total funding
£1,200,000
Time to completion
9 months
The Situation
A dentist purchasing a 4-surgery mixed NHS/private practice in Somerset needed a structure that clearly separated the operating business from the property. The goodwill was to be funded through a new holding company via a share purchase, while the freehold sat in a separate property company – a structure that needed to be packaged carefully to satisfy lender requirements.
What We Did
We packaged the commercial loan applications for both entities, aligned the narrative and structure for the HoldCo and PropCo facilities, and coordinated the process through to completion. Presenting the two facilities together as a coherent, lender-friendly package was key to getting both approved without delays.
The Result
Funding approved across both facilities: approximately £800,000 for the goodwill purchase through the HoldCo and £400,000 for the freehold through the PropCo. Transaction completed in 9 months.
Practice Owner Beats Their Bank’s Offer by Going to Market – and Saves on Structure Too.
Freehold Purchase
Refinancing
Tax Structure Improvement
Better Deal Secured
The Situation
A practice owner approached us while in active negotiations to buy the freehold of their existing premises. Their current bank had already made an offer and they wanted to know if it was the best available. Most borrowers in this position don’t realise that their existing lender has no incentive to tell them a better deal exists elsewhere – and in most cases, won’t know that it does.
What We Did
We collected the key information on the practice – goodwill value, EBITDA and trading history – and took the deal to market. We also flagged to the client that they should speak to their accountant about how to hold the property before committing. That conversation led them to place the freehold into a separate limited company, which was more tax-efficient for their situation.
The Result
We came back with two offers that were better than the bank’s original proposal. The client placed the loan with a different lender and restructured the purchase through a property company – a better financial outcome on both the borrowing terms and the longer-term tax position.
Commitment period ending – existing lender wins back the business with a full-term deal.
Loan Renewal
Commitment Period
2 Surgery Practice
Full 20-year Term Secured
The Situation
A client we had placed finance for five years earlier came back when their initial commitment period was coming to an end. Some lenders only commit for a fixed number of years rather than the full loan term – which means borrowers face a renegotiation at exactly the point they are busiest running their practice. This client needed clarity on their options before that window closed.
What We Did
We reviewed how the practice had performed since the original loan was placed and took the renewal to market alongside their existing lender. Going through a broker signals to lenders that the deal is competitive – which often produces better rates and terms than a direct renewal conversation would. Several lenders were interested, but the existing lender came back with the strongest offer, which also avoided the costs and disruption of moving security.
The Result
The client’s existing lender agreed a new deal for the full remaining 20-year term at improved terms. No security transfer needed, no disruption to the practice – and the client had independent confirmation they were getting a competitive deal.
Refinancing review leads to buying group discovery – savings found without moving the loan.
2-Practice Owner
Refinancing Review
Buying Group
Cost Savings Identified
The Situation
The owner of two practices approached us about refinancing their existing loans. Their current deals were performing well, so we were upfront that switching lenders might not be economical once the moving costs were factored in – but we agreed to review the market and provide a clear comparison so the client could judge for themselves.
What We Did
While collecting the business information for the finance review, we asked whether the client was aware of the Samera buying group. They weren’t. We explained that membership is free and covers savings on consumables, solicitors, dental builders, CQC support and utility comparisons – areas where group buying power makes a material difference for multi-site owners.
The Result
The client joined the buying group and is already identifying cost savings across both sites. The finance review continues – and if moving the loans doesn’t stack up once the numbers are in, the client will have gained real value from the engagement regardless.
Who We Work With
We are an independent commercial finance broker. We work solely for you and are not tied to any lender. That means we can approach the whole market on your behalf, from high street banks including NatWest, Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and Santander, to specialist healthcare lenders including Wesleyan, Aldermore, Allica and Coutts, to find the best deal available for your situation.
Samera Finance is registered with the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) and is a member of the NACFB (National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers), as well as being a panel member of all the major lenders, which enables us to introduce clients to them.
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Learn More About Dental Practice Finance
FAQs
Do you have further questions?
If so, please send us a message via our contact form.
How do I apply?
Getting started is straightforward. Fill in our enquiry form or book a free consultation with one of our dental finance brokers and we will be in touch to discuss your options. We will assess your needs, guide you through what documentation is required and get to work sourcing the best deals available.
What different kinds of business loans are there for dentists?
There are several types of finance available depending on what you need the money for.
Acquisition Finance
Acquisition finance funds the purchase of an existing dental practice. Most lenders will fund between 70% and 100% of the purchase price depending on the strength of the practice accounts, your clinical track record and the quality of your business plan.
Associate Buy-in Finance
Used when an associate is buying a minority stake in or fully taking over the practice they work in. Lenders assess buy-in applications based on your existing relationship with the practice as much as the practice accounts themselves, so the structure of the application matters.
Practice Start-up Finance
Covers the costs of opening a squat practice from scratch, including premises, fit-out, equipment, staffing and working capital. Lenders typically fund up to 70% to 80% of total start-up costs and place significant weight on your clinical track record and business plan.
Asset Finance
Used to purchase equipment such as dental chairs, scanners and CBCT machines. Asset finance lets you spread the cost over a repayment term rather than using working capital in one go, and can often be arranged quickly.
Property Finance and Commercial Mortgages
Used to buy the freehold of a practice premises. Commercial mortgages for dental properties are assessed differently to residential mortgages and can typically be repaid over fifteen to twenty-five years.
Refinancing
Refinancing replaces your existing loan with a new one on better terms. If you took out a practice loan two or more years ago, reviewing and refinancing could reduce your monthly repayments, lower your total interest cost or release equity for reinvestment.
Tax and VAT Loans
Spreads the cost of an unexpected tax or VAT liability over monthly instalments rather than paying it in a single lump sum, protecting your working capital and cash flow.
Working Capital Loans
Covers day-to-day operational costs when cash flow is under pressure. Rather than drawing on reserves in one go, a working capital loan lets you spread the cost across the year.
Dental Practice Mergers
Finance and advisory support for dentists merging with or acquiring another practice. Merger finance is complex and the valuation and deal structure need to be right before any borrowing is arranged.
Am I eligible for a business loan?
Eligibility depends on several factors including your clinical track record, personal financial history, the strength of your business plan and your ability to meet repayments.
Lenders generally view dental practices as lower-risk businesses than most, which works in your favour. NHS income in particular is viewed very favourably by lenders as it provides guaranteed, recurring revenue.
We can assess your eligibility quickly and tell you what your realistic borrowing options are before you formally apply.
What information will I need to provide to the lender?
Lenders will want to see a range of information and documentation. It is essential that you get this step correct. The lenders will reject your application if the projections are wrong, the business plan is poorly done, you have a poor financial record, and that’s just a few reasons.
You will need to provide:
Personal
- Personal Profile Form – details income and expenditure
- Personal Banks Statements – last 6 months
- Last 3 years associate accounts
- CV
Business
- Last 3 years practice accounts
- Practice Management information – if available
- Practice sales particulars
- Business plan
- Projections may be required
The banks will want you to be able to provide evidence of:
- Your previous earnings in your healthcare field.
- How you handle personal finances.
- Your living situation, whether you own or rent your home.
- Career in healthcare so far and any management experience.
- Ability to repay any loan.
- Personal savings
- Tax payment records.
To find out more about making sure your loan application is successful, click here.
I’ve been denied a healthcare business loan before, can I still apply?
Yes. A previous rejection does not prevent you from applying again.
If you have had a business loan application rejected in the recent past, you may need to improve your credit rating and financial standing before you can reapply.
In many cases a rejected application simply means the wrong lender was approached, or the application and business plan needed strengthening. We work with a wide range of lenders including specialist healthcare lenders who assess applications differently to high street banks.
We can review what went wrong previously and advise on the best route forward.
How easy is it to take out a business loan as a dentist?
The process is more straightforward than many dentists expect, particularly when you work with a specialist broker who knows what lenders want to see.
The most common reasons applications fail are a weak business plan, incomplete financials or approaching the wrong lender.
We handle the lender communication, structure the application correctly and negotiate the terms on your behalf, which significantly increases your chances of a successful outcome.
How much can I borrow for my dental business?
The amount you can borrow depends on your personal financial situation, the type of loan and what you intend to use it for.
For practice acquisitions, lenders will typically fund between 70% and 100% of the purchase price depending on the strength of the practice accounts and your track record.
For squat practices, lenders generally fund up to around 70% to 80% of the total start-up costs.
Asset finance can cover the full cost of equipment in many cases.
Use our calculator above to estimate repayments based on your borrowing amount.
What is the interest rate for a business loan?
Interest rates vary depending on the type of loan, the lender and your individual circumstances.
As a general guide, acquisition loans for established dental practices typically attract rates of around 2% to 3% above the Bank of England base rate.
Start-up loans tend to attract slightly higher rates, typically 4% to 5% above base rate, reflecting the higher risk to the lender.
Asset finance rates vary by lender and equipment type.
We negotiate rates on your behalf across the whole market to make sure you get the best available terms for your situation.
What is a fixed interest rate loan?
A fixed interest rate means your repayments stay the same throughout the agreed fixed period, regardless of changes to the Bank of England base rate.
This makes budgeting more predictable and protects you if rates rise. The trade-off is that you will not benefit if rates fall during the fixed period.
What is a variable interest rate loan?
A variable interest rate moves in line with the Bank of England base rate. This means your repayments could fall if rates drop, but could also rise if rates increase, making your payment schedule harder to predict.
Variable rate loans can be a good option when rates are high and expected to fall, but carry more risk in an uncertain rate environment.
How soon will I need to start repaying the loan?
In most cases repayments begin the month after you receive the funds.
However, we can often negotiate a repayment holiday of between six and twelve months, which gives you time to generate revenue from the practice before repayments begin.
This is particularly useful for squat start-ups or acquisitions where there is a period of setup before the practice reaches full capacity.
How long will I be repaying my business loan?
Term length depends on the type of loan and what you negotiate.
Bridging loans are typically repaid within twelve months.
Short-term loans are usually repaid within two years.
Long-term loans such as acquisition finance or commercial mortgages can run for fifteen to twenty-five years.
Generally speaking, a longer term means lower monthly repayments but a higher total interest cost over the life of the loan.
Does Samera Finance lend money?
No. Samera Finance is a commercial finance broker, not a lender.
We use our network of contacts across the UK lending market to find the best available loans and negotiate the best terms on your behalf.
We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and are a member of the NACFB, the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers, which sets professional standards for commercial finance brokers in the UK.
What is a finance broker and why do I need one?
A commercial finance broker acts as an intermediary between you and the lender.
Rather than approaching one bank directly, a broker gives you access to the whole market, improves your chances of a successful application and negotiates better terms than most dentists could achieve alone.
Samera Finance specialises exclusively in the dental sector, which means we know which lenders are most likely to approve your application and what a strong dental practice loan application looks like.
Can a dental associate get a business loan?
Yes. Dental associates can access finance to buy into or fully acquire a practice, fund a squat start-up or purchase equipment.
Lenders assess associate applications based on your clinical track record, earnings history and the strength of your business plan rather than existing practice ownership.
If you are looking to buy into the practice you currently work in, buy-in finance is structured differently to a standard acquisition loan and we can advise on the best approach for your situation.
Can I borrow commercial finance with bad credit?
A poor credit history makes borrowing more difficult but does not necessarily prevent you from securing finance.
Some specialist healthcare lenders take a more flexible approach to credit history than high street banks, particularly if the practice accounts are strong and the business plan is credible.
In some cases it may be worth taking steps to improve your credit rating before applying. We can assess your situation honestly and advise on the most realistic path forward.
How long does it take to get a loan?
Timescales vary depending on the type and complexity of the loan.
Asset finance can sometimes be arranged within a few days.
Acquisition finance typically takes between four and eight weeks from application to completion, depending on how quickly the required documentation is provided and how responsive the lender is.
We manage the process and chase lenders on your behalf to avoid unnecessary delays.
Do I need a deposit to buy a dental practice?
Not always. Some lenders will fund up to 100% of the purchase price for a well-structured acquisition with strong practice accounts and a credible applicant.
However, having a personal contribution available generally strengthens your application and may result in better interest rates.
Not all lenders offer 100% finance and those that do will apply stricter criteria.
We know which lenders are most open to higher funding levels and can structure your application to give you the best possible chance of securing the terms you need.
Can I refinance my dental practice loan?
Yes, and it is something many practice owners overlook.
If you took out a loan two or more years ago, the terms you agreed may no longer be the most competitive available.
Refinancing replaces your existing loan with a new one on better terms, which can reduce your monthly repayments, lower your total interest cost or release equity for reinvestment.
We regularly review existing loan arrangements for clients and negotiate improved terms with lenders across the whole market.
What is the difference between a secured and unsecured loan?
A secured loan is one where you borrow against the value of an asset, typically a property. This means that if you fail to meet repayments, the lender can claim that asset to recover their money. Because the risk to the lender is lower, secured loans generally come with better interest rates and longer repayment terms.
An unsecured loan does not require you to put up an asset as collateral. This makes it more accessible if you do not own a property or do not want to risk an asset, but lenders typically charge higher interest rates to compensate for the increased risk they are taking on.
For most dental practice acquisitions and commercial mortgages, lenders will require security. For smaller loans such as asset finance or tax loans, unsecured options are more commonly available. We can advise on which structure is most appropriate for your situation and which lenders are most likely to offer the best terms for each.
Contact us to Get the Best Finance Deal
Contact Information
Fill in the form and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
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