Fraud Protection Service

We will apply our anti-fraud software to your Xero tenancy on your behalf. Once it is active you will benefit from continuous fraud analysis, with email alerts automatically generated when issues are identified.

How it works

Our software platform performs automated checks across your Xero profile to trigger alerts relating to supplier or customer fraud risk, invoice legitimacy, payment anomalies, and indications of corruption.

Our protection is built upon three key principles of fraud resilience:

Protect

Stop it before
it happens.

Identify

Find it fast to limit
the impact.

Deter

Deter people from
committing it.

What to Expect

Our fraud analytics tool integrates with Xero to analyse financial data, focusing on identifying payment anomalies, supplier and customer fraud risks, and general fraud governance issues. This tool monitors transactions and data to detect unusual patterns, assess supplier and customer characteristics using open source data for signs of fraud or wrongdoing, and evaluates internal controls for potential
governance issues.

Data privacy and security are prioritised, with financial data encrypted during analysis and storage, and
access restricted to authorised personnel. Clients are responsible for ensuring accurate data input into
Xero, reviewing flagged risks, and implementing recommended governance practices to mitigate fraud
risks.

Company Management for Dentists

Whether you are an associate dentist or own a dental group, proper company management is essential.

From forming your company to winding it up, you need an accountant who specialise in the UK’s dental sector.

Samera can help you at every step of the way when it comes to ensuring you get the advice and support you need when it comes to company management.

We can help with:

  1. Incorporation Assessment
  2. Incorporation Advice
  3. Company Formation
  4. Winding up of LLP
  5. Registered Office Service
  6. Company Secretarial service
  7. Shares transfer
  8. Creation of shareholder meeting register
  9. Debt Advisory and Corporate Restructuring
  10. Dividend Vouchers

Why Choose Samera

Most Dentists have asked the question: Self Employed or Limited Liability?

As practice owners ourselves, we know exactly what both associates and practice owners need when it comes to company incorporation and management.

Sole traders, partnerships and expense sharing arrangements can all be incorporated, but it is so important this is done right first time, else considerable problems can manifest later on.

If you feel need an expert in this area (which we strongly suggest) please get in touch with us!

With over 20 years of experience both running our own dental companies and helping our clients do it, we can help you at every step of the way.

Dental Incorporation Overview

As of the 31st July 2006 new legal reforms have allowed dental practices to incorporate and begin trading as limited companies. The majority of the company directors must be registered with the GDC as dentists or dental care professionals.

Possible Tax Savings

There are both advantages and disadvantages to the incorporation of your dental practice and you should consider all options carefully.

There may be considerable tax savings but not necessarily in all cases, and these are offset by the costs of added bureaucracy, professional fees and start-up costs.

For high rate taxpayers, incorporation could have considerable savings for dentists.

Associates

The GDC will allow associates to practice through a limited company, however, associates cannot benefit from goodwill when the company is set up and it is possible that HM Revenue & Customs could invoke some penal tax rules to take away any potential tax savings from Dental Associate Limited Companies.

We would recommend that associates carefully consider all the risks before trading as a limited company. In addition, before you consider incorporating your Associate business, you will need to consider your pension arrangements, as the NHS now won’t pay NHS pensions to those Associates that may have incorporated into a Limited Company.

What to do next

Incorporation is not for everyone. It would be prudent to evaluate all the pro’s and cons of incorporation before you decide to incorporate.

Therefore, we would strongly recommend we carry out a thorough feasibility study based on your individual circumstances. We stress this is an essential part of the process in order to determine whether trading as a limited company is the right choice for you.

Professional Fee Protection

Samera offers a professional fee protection service to our clients.

In the event of a tax investigation, we offer an insurance policy for our clients to take out to cover our fees. Please get in touch with us for details.


Dental Practice Mergers

Dental practice merger and acquisition decisions can be very intimidating and perplexing.

Learn more

Debt Advisory and Corporate Restructuring

Our market knowledge can help give you the best option for debt and corporate restructuring.

Learn more


Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on FacebookLinkedInYouTube and Instagram.

Dental CFO Services

Sectors we can provide an FD service to:

Tooth

Dental

Stethoscope

Medical

Bone

Vet

Medicine

Pharmacy

Our Dental CFO Service is an additional service that is commonly purchased with our Annual Accountancy, tax, and bookkeeping services.

Mind Map

Our Dental CFO Services include:

Ongoing FD support, dedicated to your practice. Based on your needs, each month your FD team can:

  • Review your financial health and processes
  • Maintain and enhance operating budget and financial forecasts
  • Support purchase contract reviews and negotiations
  • Conduct strategic analyses and provide recommendations to improve sustainable profitability
  • Review the optimum tax structures
  • Assist with pricing strategies for your services
  • Aid with valuing your practice and identify core areas to change to improve the business valuation

All of this will be supported with the financial information we are preparing monthly or quarterly for your practice.

How we work

A dental business has unique financial challenges that call for skilled expertise. Yet as a dental professional, nearly all of your training was focused on healthcare provision.

Our FD services can take much of the financial decision-making burden off your plate, giving you more time to see patients and enjoy your life.

Arun Mehra

Arun Mehra

Arun Mehra FCA has over 20 years in advising dental practices and will be available at each virtual meeting to discuss the financial and commercial aspects of your practice. 

He will be supported by one of the team’s accountants so we have access to the latest data about your practice to enable us to interpret and make quality decisions from the data.

A pre-booked virtual meeting is arranged each month which lasts 60-90 minutes each month to discuss the financial and commercial aspects of your practice.

No area is off limits, and Arun will bring his wealth of experience to help you and your practice.


Samera Dental CFO Services

A dental business has unique financial challenges that call for skilled expertise. Yet as a dental professional, nearly all of your training was focused on healthcare provision.

Our FD services can take much of the financial decision-making burden off your plate, giving you more time to see patients and enjoy your life.

Finance Director

Planning

Practice Financial Planning

Your practice is the beating heart of your cash flow. And you want that heart to be healthy. 

Samera FD services offers integrated services that optimize all aspects of your business to boost financial success. We take the guesswork out of scaling your wealth and guide you toward smart financial decisions that accelerate your success.

You’ll get proven solutions for everything from taxes and financial analysis to exit plans. These solutions will help you achieve financial independence earlier in life.


Tax Planning & Preparation

A comprehensive financial plan isn’t complete without tax planning. You need to consider your current taxes, your taxes on investments as they grow, and your future taxes that will affect the withdrawal of assets in retirement. 

Samera FD services is experienced in applying legitimate but assertive tax deductions that allow you to retain more of your earnings.

Because we are involved proactively throughout the year, we make sure that all tax strategies – business and personal – are properly implemented.

Preparation

Accounting

Accounting

As your practice grows, its accounting needs become more complex. It’s important for you to know the true profitability of your business. You want to be sure you’re on track to meet your financial objectives.

Samera FD services will give you detailed accounting reports each month that summarize the financial health of your practice. These reports will also allow you to compare your overhead to industry norms as well as track your progress toward specific financial goals.

Our accounting team not only reduces your administrative burden, but provides visibility to your business performance.


Funding

In order to develop your practice, you will quite likely need to seek funding at cost-effective levels. Through cash flow forecasting and understanding your growth plans, we can source you both debt and/or equity financing to assist with your future plans.

Funding

Why choose Samera?

When you have a healthcare practice, the demands on your attention are many. Administrative tasks can consume much of your time. 

Samera FD helps you prioritize personal and business financial planning. We take those burdens off your plate, so that you’re able to focus on what you do best – care for your patients.

Achieve financial freedom earlier

Our clients become financially independent 10 years earlier than the average dentist. Samera FD services can create a roadmap for you to achieve your financial goals. We show you how to accomplish your dreams, care for your family and lead your best life.

Pay lower taxes

Our in-depth knowledge of the dental industry combined with accounting expertise enables us to advise you on tax reduction strategies. We’ll make sure you retain as much of your income as is legally allowed.

Boost and retain profits

We help you understand the financial drivers of profitability and show you proven strategies to minimize overhead while increasing revenue. These are techniques you can implement in your practice today to accelerate practice growth and see fast results.

Get out of debt

Most dentists come into their practice strapped with significant debt. Whether you have student loans, practice loans, or business loans, we can help you determine the fastest method to eliminate your debt and feel that massive weight lifted from your shoulders.

Enjoy work/life balance

In today’s fast-paced world, creating a work-life balance is a continuous process, especially when you’re operating a thriving healthcare practice. We help you manage your time and reduce stress to give you a happier, sustainable lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Below are some of the questions we get regarding our Finance Director services. If you don’t see your question answered here, please contact us. We’d be happy to speak with you about your individual situation.

What does it mean to have a finance director team?

You’ll have a team led by an experienced accountant in your industry. That advisor has a supporting direct team and a supporting indirect team.

• Your FD’s Direct Team: Supporting advisor and administrative assistant.
• Your FD’s Indirect Team: Dedicated members of our book-keeping, accounting, and tax teams. They’ll be working together with you to optimize every aspect of your business finances and tax

I already have an accountant. Why should I switch to your service?

We’re not just your accountant. We’re your FD, both for the practice, and for you individually; a strategic financial coach if you will. This is fundamentally a different model. The FD model is strategic, comprehensive, integrative, and most importantly forward-looking. 

The accountant model is disjointed and backwards-looking. 
With the FD service, you’ll get an overlay of regular, proactive advice; i.e. what to do to improve.

Specifically, you’ll get the following services:

• Business financial planning
• Strategic cash-flow forecasting
• Assertive tax planning
• Accounting and Tax advice

Is the CFO service separate to your accountancy, bookkeeping and tax services?

Yes, the FD service is an optional extra for clients willing to invest in the long-term growth of their practice. We will need to be carrying out all your accounting and tax compliance work, including monthly bookkeeping, for us to provide an FD service to you.

Can you help me save money on my taxes?

Our in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry combined with accounting expertise enables us to advise you on tax reduction strategies. We’ll make sure you retain as much of your income as is legally allowed.

What types of financial advice do you provide?

Our expertise extends well beyond accounting and taxes. With our decades of experience, working exclusively with healthcare businesses, we’re able to consult with you on key financial decisions, suggest strategies for profit improvement, and facilitate exit planning when the time is right.

Do Samera’s Dental CFO Services offer payroll and pension services?

Yes, we offer the full remit of payroll and pension services.

Debt Advisory and Corporate Restructuring

These are uncertain times, and they are likely to be with us for a while.

If you are concerned about your financial situation, rather than put your head in the sand, hoping it will all go away quickly, I would urge you to seek help.

Some difficult conversations may be needed, but it’s imperative they happen earlier than letting them linger.


We can help you in a number of areas:

Corporate restructuring

Our experts advise owners and board members and other stakeholders on stabilising crisis situations, turnaround strategies and planned restructuring. We ensure that all available options for businesses are considered. We pragmatically manage all stakeholders to achieve optimum results.

Debt Advisory

Our debt financing advisory team has vast experience in raising new or re-financing existing debt. We can assist in building a strong proposition for lenders or lenders’ clients looking to reposition the debt or relationship including financial modelling and capital structure optimisation whilst our market knowledge can help with debt instrument selection and pricing.

Crisis cash flow management

Our team has the experience to rapidly identify the causes of cash flow issues and support lenders’ clients with the processes and expertise needed to resolve the position. We assist in implementing improvements to how cash flow is managed and reported in the business and liaise with third parties on your client’s behalf.

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide.

Corporate restructuring

Our experts advise board members and other stakeholders on stabilising crisis situations, turnaround strategies and planned restructuring. We ensure that all available options for businesses are considered. We pragmatically manage all stakeholders to achieve optimum results.

Don’t let the current environment dictate your outcome, our team of professionals can help you.

Please book a consult with one of the team to assist you with your needs.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

IR35 for Dentists

The tax pendulum continues to move for associate dentists. HMRC have announced that from April 2023 they will withdraw the paragraph in their guidance which mentions the BDA and DPA standard associate agreement.

What do the changes in IR35 mean for associate dentists and practice owners?

Up until recently, associate dentists were given a blanket concession by HMRC that allows them to be treated as self-employed for tax purposes. 

This has allowed associates to process their income for tax purposes as trading income, as opposed to employment income. 

Starting from April 2023, however, dental practices will be required to use the CEST (Check Employment Status for Tax) test to determine the tax status of all of their dental associates under contract. 

If a dental practice is found to be treating an associate as self-employment, when in fact they act as an employee, they will be liable to additional tax. 

What this means for dentists is that you will now need to determine your employment status (self-employed or employee of the practice) and act accordingly in your day-to-day business.

If you process your tax as a sole trader or limited company, when in fact you are an employee of the practice, you will be subject to added tax. 

This will impact both the associate dentist and also the dental practice employing the dentist.

As a busy dental associate, I have been using Samera Accounting services for over 7 years now and have found them to be highly professional, prompt in correspondence and … extremely helpful to any enquiries which I have had.

Five stars

What is IR35? 

IR35 is intended to combat employment tax avoiders who process their tax as though they were sole traders or limited companies, and not in fact employees. 

IR35 is used to establish your employment status; whether you are self-employed, an employee of a limited company or both. It is usually the responsibility of the dental practice for which you work to determine your employment status and process both your tax and their accounts accordingly. 

Previously, NHS dental practices had to pay additional tax if one of their staff was hired via a limited company but in fact operates as an employee. Since 2021, this has also applied to larger private practices. 

As detailed above, from April 2023, HMRC have announced that they will be removing dental associates’ exemption from IR35 rules. 

This means that dental practices will need to calculate their clinical staff’s employment status via the UK Government’s employment status test. 

Click here to find out more about employment status tests on .gov.uk

Am I self-employed or an employee?

How you operate in the dental practice which employs you will factor into whether you are a sole-trader or an employee. 

Self employed dental associates act as either sole-traders or a limited company and process their own accounts and tax. They usually rent the surgery, equipment and consumables from the dental practice in which they work. 

These are some of the things that distinguish employed and self-employed dental associates:

  • Self-employed dental associates have clinical independence to choose their own treatments, plans and procedures. 
  • Self-employed dental associates have a say in their chosen work hours. 
  • Self-employed dental associates must be able to provide a locum substitute in their place should they be unable to work
  • Self-employed dental associates can set their own prices and provide additional private work. 
  • Self-employed dental associates are not paid holiday pay.
  • Self-employed dental associates have professional indemnity insurance cover. 
  • Self-employed dental associates pay for equipment maintenance out of their own pocket. 

Determining your IR35 employment status

If you are a dental practice owner or a dental associate unsure of how the IR35 rule changes affect you, we can perform an IR35 review of your practice and contracts to determine the status of yourself or your employees. 

We can review your contracts thoroughly, figure out the correct employment status and help process the accounts and tax to reduce your bill. 

Our specialist dental accountants and tax experts are perfectly placed to help make sure your status is correct and you’re paying the correct tax.

Click here to read our article on Samera Learning Centre.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Payroll and Pensions

As a firm of specialist accountants for dentists, dental practices and dental groups, we are experts at processing the payroll and pensions for dental practice owners and their employees. 

When you go digital and automate your finances, you save time, money and effort, whilst also keeping your important documents and information safe, secure and updated in real-time. 

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

Mountains of paperwork, sending endless forms back and forth, chasing each other down for invoices or statements, those are things of the past. Now is the time for automating your financial processes in your business. It’s not just timely, it’s essential. 

You can find out more about cloud accounting here.

At Samera we use BrightPay payroll software which is an efficient, technologically advanced payroll software.

Our payroll services allow for a seamless solution for all your payroll issues, no matter where in the world our staff or your staff is located. The BrightPay software our trained professionals use allows both you and our payroll experts to access the highly secure data and allows access to employer files for all individuals who need it. 

You can find out more about how Samera make accounts easier.

Samera have been my accountant for 7 years and have continued to provide me with accurate accounts and timely submissions. Their digital workflow eases the management of receipts and filing. I have found them to be supportive and knowledgeable particularly during the recent crisis. Thank you.

Five stars

Benefits of Samera Payroll

Your payroll is secure

All our payroll data is automatically backed up online every fifteen minutes, as well as every time an employer file is closed to ensure that no data is ever lost.

Samera ensures that any updates will be reviewed and checked before it is automatically updated. All users will automatically check to see any updated versions of the file. This ensures that if you, or anyone on your team, has made any changes, our team will be able to see, review and download the latest version you have edited and review it for you. 

You can read more about cybersecurity here.

You have the control

We give our clients access to their own online employer portal. This service allows us to ensure the smoothest payroll process for you, while also allowing you to oversee everything that is happening on our end. This also allows you to easily give us all the information straight from your side through our software. You don’t need to hound your accountants or need to be hounded for paperwork by your accountant!  Our software allows a seamless process for all parties from start to finish.

By using Samera’s payroll services, we have equal online access to payroll data as well as you. We operate all of our clients’ accounts while each employer has their own online employer portal, which means that you can directly take care of any request yourself.

You can read more about accounts and tax here.

Easily check payroll entry

With Samera you are able to send a ‘Payroll Entry Request’ where you will be asked to confirm employees’ payments for that pay period. If needed, we can quickly and easily enter details of any changes for that pay period, such as new starter details or adding bonus pay for an employee.

With various employees on your payroll, most of whom are bound to work variable hours, you have the option to upload their specific timesheets to your secure online portal. This ensures that we get the correct information directly from you. This function also serves as a great reminder to easily update payroll information that might have otherwise been forgotten.

The measures we have put in place works efficiently for both parties. It is a direct method of sending, receiving, and storing payroll data leaving those endless back and forth emails to finalise payroll redundant. It is important to note that once we have reviewed the information you have submitted, it is automatically stored on the payroll software, therefore reducing the risk of any errors being made.

Click here to watch our webinar on how to navigate your practice’s financial function.

Evolving ways of working

Covid-19 has, undoubtedly, brought about many changes to the workplace. Of course, it is a lot easier to manage a team of people when they are all working similar hours in the same location; however, that is not always the default case anymore. While remote working has its advantages, it has also proven to bring about many challenges for employers and employees both, which is where Samera’s services come in. 

Businesses have to quickly learn and evolve their businesses to work with the new normal. This is why Samera has introduced BrightPay to all our clients in order to help clients manage staff while working from remote locations and different schedules. This is a great opportunity for you and your business. Our services work efficiently and in turn, help your business run as efficiently as possible without any time-consuming conversations, paperwork or mistakes happening along the way.

Click here to listen to our podcast episode on how to organise your practice’s finances.

Self-service

An employee app that can also help you manage your employees as well as giving them access to an employer portal, employees can also be invited to their own employee portal that can help your employees with adjusting to remote and flexible working.

Through this app you can:

  • Share important documents. The app will monitor who has opened and read these documents.
  • Approve any personal detail changes of employees.
  • Approve or deny any annual leave requests (requested easily through the app as well).
  • You and your employees are able to access a real time company-wide calendar.

Any changes that are made to the payroll data through the app are automatically synchronised with BrightPay Connect as well as BightPay payroll. Any adjustments are able to be made easily by you or any employees and all functions can be performed from any device at any location, making remote working efficient as possible.

You can find more articles and webinars on accounting here in our Learning Centre.

What you can do:

With Samera you are able to visit your online payroll portal data anytime, anywhere. All you need to do is log into your employer portal at any time, in any place. Log in from any smartphone, tablet device, laptop or computer. After this you are able to:

  • View all your employee’s current and past payslips
  • View employee documents
  • View real-time reports (employee reports e.g. Pension information, contact details, salary details)

Our system ensures that we are able to do our job for you as seamlessly as possible, while you can access any information you need easily and securely. We believe this process does not need to be a lengthy or tiresome process, for us or any of our clients. Having quick and easy access to these functions not only relieves stress but also saves a lot of time retrieving, asking and forwarding the necessary information between parties.

You can find out more about automating your finances here.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Making Tax Digital for Dentists

From April 2026, self-employed dentists earning over £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Here is what is changing, what you need to do, and how Samera can help you comply.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the UK Government’s programme to replace paper-based tax records with digital reporting across the entire tax system. For dentists, the first deadline is now weeks away.

From 6 April 2026, any self-employed dentist or dental practice owner with gross income above £50,000 must use MTD-compatible software to maintain their records and submit quarterly income and expense updates directly to HMRC. Paper records will no longer be legally acceptable.

The income thresholds then step down over the following two years. From April 2027 the threshold drops to £30,000, and from April 2028 it drops to £20,000. By 2028, the large majority of dental associates and practice owners in the UK will be brought into the scheme.

Samera has been working with dentists on digital accounts for over 20 years and we are a Xero Gold Partner. If you are not yet set up, the time to act is now.

Making Tax Digital for Dental Associates

From 6 April 2026, dental associates with self-employment income above £50,000 are required by law to keep all records in MTD-compatible digital software, submit four quarterly updates to HMRC each tax year, and file a final end-of-year declaration by 31 January following each tax year.

The quarterly submission deadlines are 7th August, 7th November, 7th February and 7th May.

Your annual Self Assessment tax return is replaced by this five-report structure. The software you use must communicate directly with HMRC’s systems. Samera uses and recommends Xero for all dental clients.

You can find a list of compliant software on the .gov.uk website.

If you are currently on paper records or spreadsheets, you need to transition to compliant software before 6 April 2026. Samera handles the full transition, including software setup, HMRC registration and onboarding into a digital workflow that takes minutes per month to maintain.

If your combined gross income from self-employment and rental property exceeds the threshold, both income streams must be reported under MTD ITSA from the point of mandation.

Find out more about tax for dental associates.

Making Tax Digital for Dental Practices

MTD for Income Tax applies to dental practices trading as sole traders with gross income above £50,000 from April 2026. The same quarterly reporting obligations apply, and you will need to retain digital records for a minimum of six years.

If your practice operates as a limited company, Corporation Tax digital reporting is a separate workstream. It is not yet mandated, but HMRC has confirmed its intention to bring limited companies into scope in due course. Samera recommends moving to a fully digital accounting system now regardless of your trading structure, both to prepare for future mandation and to benefit from the improved visibility over cashflow and tax position that a live digital system provides.

Samera stopped accepting paper records from accountancy clients some years ago. All records are received, processed and stored digitally through Xero and Hubdoc. When you work with us, the day-to-day process is straightforward: scan or photograph your receipts and invoices, upload them to Hubdoc, and we handle everything from there.

You can find a list of compliant software on the .gov.uk website.

Speak to a Making Tax Digital Specialist

Whether you need help transitioning to MTD-compatible software, have questions about your compliance obligations, or want a specialist to manage your digital records and quarterly reporting, our team is here to help. Book a free, no-obligation consultation.

Natasha Gnanapragasam -- Accountancy Senior Manager, Samera

Natasha Gnanapragasam

Accountancy Senior Manager
ACCA | CTA Pathway | MBA

Speak to Natasha

Natasha joined Samera in 2021 and leads the accounts team’s work on tax compliance and digital systems for dental and healthcare clients. She has particular expertise in technology-driven solutions and process automation, and has been central to Samera’s MTD implementation work, helping clients transition from paper records to fully digital workflows ahead of the April 2026 deadline. If you have questions about software setup, HMRC registration or what MTD means for your specific situation, Natasha is the right person to speak to.

Speak with Uros
Arun Mehra FCA - Samera CEO and Founder

Arun Mehra

CEO and Founder, Samera
FCA | Xero Gold Partner

Speak to Arun

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. Arun presented on Making Tax Digital for dentists alongside the British Dental Association and has been preparing Samera’s client base for the MTD transition since the scheme was first announced.

Speak with Uros

Arun and Natasha presented on Making Tax Digital for dentists with the British Dental Association. Watch the full webinar below.


What Our Clients Say

“Samera have been my accountant for 7 years and have continued to provide me with accurate accounts and timely submissions. Their digital workflow eases the management of receipts and filing. I have found them to be supportive and knowledgeable particularly during the recent crisis. Thank you.”

Patrick

“As a busy dental associate, I have been using Samera Accounting services for over 7 years now and have found them to be highly professional, prompt in correspondence and extremely helpful to any enquiries which I have had.”

Alistair

“Used Samera business advisors for my self tax return form and they were amazing from start to finish. They made me understand every single step and made the process swift.”

Remzie

Our Packages

MTD ITSA Compliance Package Details

For dental associates and practice owners who want Samera to manage their MTD obligations in full. We handle your quarterly submissions, annual declaration, software subscription and HMRC compliance so you can focus on your patients.

Below are the comprehensive inclusions in your package:

  • Quarterly digital records keeping and Preparation of MTD Reports
    Ensuring compliance with MTD requirements.
  • Submission of MTD reports to HMRC
    Filing quarterly MTD Reports to HMRC.
  • Annual Adjustment and Declaration of Returns
    Ensuring all necessary adjustments are made and returns are accurately declared.
  • Annual Self-Assessment Tax Return
    Preparation and submission of your annual tax return.
  • MTD Software Subscription
    Access to MTD-compliant accounting software.
  • Email Support
    Assistance with queries related to your tax obligations.
  • HMRC Compliance Guidance
    Expert advice to help you remain fully compliant.
  • Dedicated Dental Tax Accountant
    Specialist support tailored for dental professionals.
  • Initial Set-Up & Onboarding
    Complete support with setting you up for MTD, including software setup, HMRC registration, and onboarding you into the system.

MTD ITSA Software and Training

This one-off, two-hour training and support session is designed to give you complete confidence in using your MTD ITSA software. Whether you’re new to digital tax or looking to improve your skills, we offer practical guidance tailored to your needs.

Each session includes:

  • Initial Consultation – We begin with a short consultation to assess your current software setup, level of experience, and goals.
  • Two-Hour Training Session – A detailed, step-by-step one to one walkthrough covering software setup, navigation, record-keeping, submissions, and troubleshooting.
  • Training Materials – Professionally prepared reference materials to help you continue learning at your own pace.
  • Q&A Session – Dedicated time to address your questions and ensure you’re confident using your MTD ITSA software.

Fees

One-Off Training & Support Session (2 Hours): £750 + VAT

Includes initial consultation, live training, training materials, and a full Q&A session.

Making Tax Digital FAQs

What is Making Tax Digital (MTD)?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment (MTD ITSA) is the UK Government’s requirement for self-employed individuals and landlords to keep digital tax records and submit income and expense updates to HMRC quarterly, rather than filing a single annual Self Assessment return. It is part of HMRC’s broader programme to move the entire tax system to digital reporting.

Does MTD apply to me as a dentist?

If you are a self-employed dental associate or a dental practice owner trading as a sole trader, and your gross income from self-employment and property combined exceeds £50,000, MTD applies to you from 6 April 2026.

The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. NHS-employed dentists with no private income or rental income above the threshold are not currently in scope.

What are the MTD ITSA income thresholds and deadlines?

From April 2026, the threshold is £50,000 gross income from self-employment or property. From April 2027 it drops to £30,000, and from April 2028 it drops to £20,000. These are gross income thresholds, not profit thresholds, so your turnover before expenses is what counts.

What replaces my Self Assessment tax return under MTD?

Your annual Self Assessment return is replaced by a five-report structure. You submit four quarterly updates summarising your income and expenses, with deadlines of 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May.

You then file a final end-of-year declaration by 31 January following each tax year, which confirms your overall tax position for that year.

What counts as qualifying income for MTD ITSA?

Qualifying income includes gross income from self-employment and gross income from UK property. If the combined total of these two income streams exceeds the threshold, you are in scope for MTD. Income from employment, pensions and investments does not count toward the threshold but is still reported annually as part of the final declaration.

I am a dental associate paid through a limited company. Does MTD apply to me?

MTD ITSA applies to self-employed individuals, not limited companies. If you operate entirely through a limited company and take a salary and dividends rather than filing a Self Assessment as a sole trader, you are not currently mandated into MTD ITSA.

Corporation Tax digital reporting is a separate workstream that HMRC has signalled it will bring into scope in due course. If you are unsure about your trading structure and how it affects your MTD obligations, speak to our team.

What software do I need for MTD?

You must use software that is compatible with HMRC’s MTD systems and can submit reports directly to HMRC. Samera uses and recommends Xero for all dental clients. A full list of compliant software is available on gov.uk. Spreadsheets alone are not sufficient unless they are linked to bridging software that can communicate with HMRC.

Can I keep using spreadsheets under MTD?

You can use spreadsheets but only if they are linked to HMRC-compatible bridging software that can submit your quarterly updates. A standalone spreadsheet with no direct HMRC connection will not meet the MTD requirements. For most dentists, moving to dedicated software such as Xero is simpler, more reliable and less prone to error than a bridging software workaround.

How long do I need to keep my digital records?

You are required to retain digital records for a minimum of six years under MTD ITSA.

What happens if I do not comply with MTD?

HMRC operates a points-based penalty system for MTD ITSA. You accumulate a penalty point for each missed quarterly submission.

Once you reach the threshold number of points, a financial penalty applies. There is also interest charged on any tax paid late.

The points reset after a period of full compliance. HMRC has indicated it will take a supportive approach in the early stages of mandation, but the penalty framework is live from the point the rules apply to you.

Are there any exemptions from MTD?

You may be able to apply for an exemption if it is not reasonably practicable for you to use digital tools due to age, disability, remoteness of location or other factors. Religious objections to using computers may also qualify. Exemptions must be applied for through HMRC and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you think you may qualify, speak to our team before assuming you are exempt.

I have rental income as well as my dental income. How does MTD affect me?

If your combined gross income from self-employment and rental property exceeds the MTD threshold, both income streams must be reported under MTD ITSA from the point you are mandated. Your rental income and expenses are reported quarterly alongside your dental income, and both are captured in the final end-of-year declaration.

What is the difference between MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax?

MTD for VAT has been in place since 2019 and requires VAT-registered businesses to keep digital VAT records and submit VAT returns through compatible software. MTD for Income Tax is a separate requirement covering Self Assessment taxpayers.

If your dental practice is VAT-registered, you are likely already using MTD-compatible software for VAT purposes, which means the transition to MTD ITSA may be straightforward as your software infrastructure is already in place.

How much does it cost to become MTD compliant with Samera?

Our MTD ITSA Compliance Package covers quarterly record keeping, all HMRC submissions, your annual Self Assessment, software subscription, setup and a dedicated dental tax accountant. Pricing is based on your annual turnover and service level.

We also offer a standalone one-off training session at £750 + VAT for dentists who want to manage their own records with expert guidance on how to use the software correctly. Book a free consultation to discuss which option suits your situation.

Can Samera take over my MTD from another accountant?

Yes. If you are currently with another accountant or managing your own records and want to switch to Samera, we handle the full transition. This includes transferring your records into Xero, registering you with HMRC for MTD, and onboarding you into our digital workflow. We do this regularly and the process is straightforward.

How long does it take to get set up for MTD with Samera?

Setup typically takes one to two weeks from the point you instruct us, covering software setup, HMRC registration and onboarding into our digital workflow. Given the April 2026 deadline is now weeks away, we recommend contacting us as soon as possible to ensure everything is in place before mandation.

What is the Samera digital workflow and how does it work day to day?

Once you are set up with Samera, the day-to-day process is minimal. You scan or photograph your receipts and invoices and upload them to Hubdoc. Hubdoc feeds directly into Xero, where our team processes your records. We prepare and submit your quarterly updates to HMRC and handle your annual declaration. You do not need to log in to Xero or interact with HMRC directly unless you want to.

Do I need to sign up for MTD before the deadline, or does it happen automatically?

You need to sign up for MTD ITSA before your mandation date – it does not happen automatically. HMRC requires you to register through your software or through a tax agent acting on your behalf. Samera handles this registration as part of our onboarding process. If you are managing your own transition, make sure you register in advance of 6 April 2026 to avoid any gap in compliance.

What if my income drops below the MTD threshold after I have been mandated?

Once you have been mandated into MTD ITSA, you will only be able to exit the scheme if your qualifying income falls below £20,000 for three consecutive tax years based on your filed returns. Dropping below £50,000 or £30,000 in a single year does not automatically remove you from the scheme.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Fee Review

Are you setting the right prices?

Setting your fees correctly is so important in running a dental practice. Whilst you want to be compensated for your hard work and skills, it’s also essential you don’t price yourself out of the market and remain excellent value to the patients you serve.

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

I wish other companies could replicate this level of customer service

Five stars

All too often we have seen dentists price their services based on local competition and then pray and hope that the fees are ok. But sometimes, the fee charged may not even cover the basic overheads of a business.

Our approach to pricing your dental services is analytical and thorough, ensuring you price your services profitably and effectively.

If you wish us to help you price your dental services, please get in touch.

Click here to read our articles on Samera Learning Centre.


Our Fee Review Process

The process involves us obtaining a list of all the treatments you currently provide, and the quantity delivered over the course of last 12 months. In addition to this we require details of the approximate time frame it takes to complete each treatment.

We then use financial data from you accounting records to work out the break even point per hour for your surgery. By using this information, we can highlight which treatments are being provided at low margins or a loss-making exercise. We will need a competitor analysis, which we can update if not most recent to then suggest at what rate the treatments will become profitable and remain competitive in comparison to the competition.

We will then calculate the revenue growth you will achieve with these new prices, for example a £10 increase in a treatment that remains competitive, which has been delivered 600 times over the course of a year will generate approx. £6,000 in revenue based on new pricing. Similarly, a treatment which is not breaking even per hour of the same nature would be costing you £6,000 annually which is a reduction in profit for the surgery.

You can then use this information to potentially consider other options such as offering surgery subscription plans to tie in the patients for reoccurring treatment plans and build a constant stream of revenue.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on FacebookLinkedInYouTube and Instagram.

Business Loans and Dental Practice Finance for UK Dentists

We are specialist dental finance brokers. We help UK dentists secure the right practice loans on the best terms available in the market. Whether you are an associate looking to buy your first practice, an owner looking to grow, or an established group raising finance for your next acquisition, getting the right dental practice loan can make or break the deal.

Verified - 20 plus years experience

20+ Years Experience

Hundreds of dentists helped

100’s of Dentists Helped

Over 100 million pounds raised in dental practice finance since 2004

Over £100 Mil Raised

At Samera Finance, we work exclusively with dentists. We know the lenders, we know the sector and we know what a strong application looks like. That means you get better options, better terms and a faster process than going to a bank directly.

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 at Samera Finance

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

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.

Amount

Term

Interest Rate

2.5%

Monthly Repayments:

£0

Total Cost:

£0

*Calculations are indicative and intended as a guide only. Based on the average rate of our lowest risk businesses. Excludes loan origination fee

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.

Acquisition Finance

Buying a dental practice will almost certainly require borrowed finance. Most lenders will fund between 70% and 100% of the purchase price for a well-structured acquisition, depending on the strength of the practice accounts, your track record as a clinician and the quality of your business plan. We work with all the major healthcare lenders to find the right deal for your acquisition and make sure the terms reflect the value of what you are buying.

Learn more

Refinancing

If you took out a practice loan two or more years ago, the terms you agreed then may not be the best available now. 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. It is one of the most overlooked ways to improve practice cash flow without taking on new debt.

Learn more

Property Finance

Purchasing the freehold of your practice premises is one of the most significant financial decisions a dentist can make. Commercial mortgages for dental properties can typically be repaid over 15 to 25 years and are assessed differently to residential mortgages. We were shortlisted for NACFB Commercial Finance Broker of the Year in both 2021 and 2022, and our brokers have extensive experience arranging property finance for dental practice owners across the UK.

Learn more

Asset Finance

Dental equipment is expensive and technology moves quickly. Asset finance lets you spread the cost of chairs, scanners, CBCT machines and other equipment over a repayment term rather than using working capital in one go. We do not charge for sourcing asset finance, and through our buying group you can access exclusive deals on dental equipment that reduce the total cost before financing is even arranged.

Learn more

Tax and VAT Loans

An unexpected tax bill or quarterly VAT liability can put serious pressure on practice cash flow if you have to pay it in a single lump sum. A tax or VAT loan spreads the cost across monthly instalments, protecting your working capital. Our specialist dental accountants work alongside our finance brokers to reduce your tax liability where possible and source the lending to cover what remains.

Learn more

Dental Practice Mergers

Merging with another practice can accelerate growth but the financial and structural complexity is significant. Getting the valuation wrong or agreeing poor financing terms at this stage can create problems that take years to unwind. We advise on both the valuation and the financing of dental practice mergers, so you go into the deal with a clear picture of what you are taking on and what it will cost.

Learn more

Financial Health Check-up

A financial health check is not a loan product but it is often the starting point for understanding what finance you need and when. We review your practice accounts, cash flow and existing borrowing to identify where money is being lost, where you are overpaying on existing debt and what your realistic borrowing capacity is. Most dentists who go through this process find at least one area where money can be saved or better deployed.

Learn more

Practice Start-up Finance

Starting a squat practice from scratch is often cheaper than buying an existing one, but the upfront costs are still substantial. You will need finance to cover the premises, fit-out, equipment, staffing and working capital before the practice reaches profitability. Lenders assess start-up applications differently to acquisitions, placing more weight on your clinical track record and business plan. We know what a strong start-up application looks like and which lenders are most receptive to them.

Learn more

Dental Associate Buy-in Finance

Many associates reach a point where buying into or fully acquiring the practice they work in is the natural next step. Buy-in finance is structured differently to a standard acquisition loan because the lender is assessing your existing relationship with the practice as much as the practice accounts themselves. We arrange buy-in finance for associates at all stages, from a minority equity stake through to full practice ownership.

Learn more

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.

  • 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

Client Testimonials

“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

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.

Become a partner

Suppliers and Partners

By working with Samera, you can ensure your clients get the finance they need, when they need.

Learn more

Learn More About Dental Practice Finance

How to Finance a Dental Practice

Whether you need to raise finance to start, buy or grow a dental practice, this is the complete guide to your options, how lenders assess applications and what you need to do to secure the best deal.

Learn more

Why Was My Business Loan Denied?

A rejected loan application is not necessarily the end of the road. This guide explains the most common reasons dental practice loan applications are declined and what you can do to improve your chances next time.

Learn more

A Guide to Acquisition Finance

Acquisition finance is the most common type of dental practice loan. This guide explains how it works, how much you can typically borrow and what lenders look for in a strong application.

Learn more

Using a Commercial Finance Broker

Going directly to a bank is rarely the best way to raise finance for a dental practice. This guide explains why using a specialist commercial finance broker gets you better options, better terms and a higher chance of a successful application.

Learn more

FAQ’s

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.

T: (+44)20 7100 8788

or

or

Dental Buying Group

01

Join the Samera Alliance Group

02

Save money
on your consumables and products

Why join our Dental Buying Group?

The Samera Alliance Group supports independent dentists like you with access to the very best prices in the dental market, ensuring your business can achieve the best possible margins.

With our buying group power, we continue to widen our supplier network, bringing dentists the best possible prices for all amenities.

How the Samera Alliance Dental Buying Group can help you and your business?

Mask

Save money on Consumables
and Equipment

Devices

IT Infrastructure

Scan

Digital Scanners

Umbrella

Indemnity Insurance

Code

Software for
Your Practice

Bolt

Review Energy and
Business rates

Checklist

Dental Compliance

Health and Safety

HR and
Health and Safety

What do you get when you join the Samera Alliance Dental Buying Group?

We’ll help you save money in your practice with exclusive discounts on dental products, equipment and consumables with our dental buying group.

Buying Group Features

  • Gain access to significantly discounted dental consumables through negotiated deals by Samera Alliance.
  • Enjoy reduced rates on dental repairs and maintenance services, ensuring cost-effective solutions for your practice.
  • Access pre-negotiated deals on essential overheads such as utilities, IT services, CQC compliance, HR support and waste management, streamlining your operational costs effectively.

Samera Alliance Partners

The Samera Alliance Group has partnered up with some of the UK’s leading dental consumable manufacturers and service providers to help you save money in your practice.

We have a large directory of companies that you can have access to in order to help run your practice more cost-effectively.

FAQs

Do you have further questions?

If so, please send us a message via our contact form.

What is the Samera Alliance?

The Samera Alliance is our growing network of dentists, practices and leading industry suppliers, designed to help you save money, grow your profits and build a better dental business.

The Samera Alliance is all about saving your practice money with our Dental Buying Group. By joining the Samera Alliance, you gain access to exclusive deals and offers from our partners. The Samera Alliance Buying Group can save you money on the consumables, equipment and products you need in dentistry. Samera Alliance is FREE to join. There’s no catch or hidden costs. Just free access to exclusive discounts

Why have we set up this buying group?

Here at Samera, we wanted to allow smaller independent dental practices to operate on a level playing field with some of the dental body corporates out there when it comes to buying their consumables or equipment.

At Samera, we believe we’re all stronger together. As a Group, we can match the buying power of the corporate dental groups and get you cheaper deals on goods and discounted rates for services.

What is in it for you?
  • Gaining better buying power
  • Larger discounts
  • Reducing your monthly material bills 
  • Introduction to third-party services

By combining the purchasing power of our growing network of private dentists, we can source consumables, equipment and supplies at significantly discounted prices. Larger buying groups can obtain far greater discounts than individual practices. Coming together to negotiate collectively greatly elevates the leverage you have to get the best deal possible. 

Join our growing network of practices to benefit from lower prices, save money and grow your practice’s value. 

  • Partner up and work with our community to see significant reductions in cost through combined purchasing power. 
  • Connect with industry-leading manufacturers and suppliers to ensure you purchase the cutting-edge equipment, technology and supplies. 
  • Better deals, negotiated through the Samera Dental Buying Group.
  • Access to advice and guidance on asset finance and dental technology. 

Be a part of a growing buying group, get the best deals on the market, and grow your practice’s profits.

What kind of things can I purchase?

By joining our buying group, you will gain access to lower cost consumables, equipment and aesthetics solutions – everything you need to equip and kit-out the modern dental practice.

Supplies: Over 27,000 consumable products available to order.

Digital products: Digital software and products from leading manufacturers, as well as access to training, technical support and engineering teams.

Specialist equipment: Including orthodontic, surgical, endodontic, Loupes and oral hygiene products & equipment.

Aesthetics: Specialist facial aesthetics and non-surgical skin rejuvenation products, including dermal fillers, botulinum toxins, skin peels and cosmeceuticals.

Services and repair: Our buying group has access to one of the largest engineering teams across the UK and Ireland, who can service, test and repair your practice equipment.

How do I join?

Simply click ‘Sign up now’ above to either register now or book a free consultation with our buying group manager.

Once you are a registered member of the buying group, you’ll be able to see all of the exclusive deals and make your purchases.

Do I need to be a Samera client to join?

No, you do not have to be a Samera client, the Samera Alliance is open to any dentist or dental practice that wants to save money and grow their profits.

However, if you are an existing client then let us know, as our accountancy and practice start-up clients can enjoy an introductory offer.

How much does it cost?

The Samera Alliance (our Dental Buying Group) is completely free for everyone to join. That means you get cheaper dental consumables and supplies for nothing!

Do you make the purchases for me?

No, you will still purchase equipment, assets and consumables yourself via the links in the alliance website. However, your profile will be registered to the Samera Dental Buying Group, which will allow you to benefit from our discounted prices.

How much can I save?

Discount prices will vary between products and over time.

However, we have seen an average of 6-10% per month in savings.

How will this grow the value of my practice?

For every £1 you save, your practice’s value increases by over £6! Your practice’s value is calculated by multiplying your current annual profit by 6. Therefore, if you save £10,000 somewhere, your practice’s value goes up by £60,000! 

For example:

If you save on consumables:£1£1,000£10,000
Your practice value increases by*:£6£6,000£60,000
*Based on an EBITDA multiple of 6x EBITDA

Nothing to be sniffed at, and it’s a no-brainer, no-risk service to you.

To find out how much simply saving money on your consumables can grow the value of your practice, enter your current annual profit and consumables bill. Then just let us know how much you want to cut your consumables bill by and you’ll see how much your practice could be worth when you save. You’ll be surprised how much your value can grow!

Try our practice wealth calculator:

Your Current Annual Profit:

Your Current Practice Value:


Your Current Annual Consumables Bill:

Cut Dental Consumables By:

Annual Saving Made In Dental Consumables:

New Dental Consumables Cost:

Your New Practice Value:

* Assuming EBITDA of 6x
How do I get better deals through the Buying Group?

Buying Groups use their numbers as leverage to get better prices since it means they purchase items in large bulks far more often than an independent practice, or even a small dental group.

A Buying Group represents a far greater source of regular business and, so, they often get better prices then others.

The more members of the Buying Group, the better the prices we will be able to negotiate for this exact reason.

Navigating Your Finance Function

Step 1

Invoice

Receive an invoice from a supplier.

Step 1

Step 2

Send

Scan/photo or email the invoice to Hubdoc.

Step 2

Step 3

Document

Information posted into Xero by Team Samera at awaiting payment stage.

Step 3

Step 4

Receive

Payment made via bank account or WISE.

Step 4

Step 5

Match

Once invoice is paid Xero matches invoice with payment.

Step 5

Step 6

Reconcile

Bank account is reconciled fully at the end of each month or more regularly.

Step 6

Step 7

Report

Produce management reports.

Step 7

Step 8

Review

Review of management reports to highlight variances for action.

Step 8

Step 9

Feed

Feeds into the annual accounts process with a very quick turnaround for year end.

Step 9

Step 10

Budgets

Set up budgets for the next financial year.

Step 10

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Dental Practice Mergers

Helping Dentists buy and sell practices for over 20 Years.

Dental Practice Mergers

Dental practice merger decisions can be intimidating and perplexing. It might seem like a good deal, but without a proper assessment of the proposition, you might be inviting trouble. Therefore, it’s essential you obtain specialist help in this area.

To help you make the right decision, our experienced team of advisors can help you assess each opportunity, whether you are buying or selling a practice. Our approach includes:

  • A detailed review of the proposition
  • Analysis of the practice/business current service and structure
  • Designing of an implementation plan
  • Identifying any potential difficulties or abnormalities in the deal
  • Constructing a robust plan to assist you in buying or selling the business

We will ensure that the above is executed and delivered. We have extensive experience and expertise in providing full support in terms of financial advice and transition plans.

To know more about dental practice mergers service, please get in touch with us or book a free consultation.

We have a great relationship with advisors at Samera. We are in middle of a purchase. Samera advisors are doing an amazing and thorough job, from assessing practices, obtaining loan to providing accounting services … very patient, understanding and considerate. Overall, very happy with the service and would highly recommend.

Five stars

Precise Valuations

If you are looking to sell or acquire any dental business, it is important to seek out expert knowledge and advice on valuations.

At Samera, our approach is realistic, yet practical. 

We carry out assessments to determine the actual market value of the business you are looking to sell or buy. Based on the analysis we present you with various scenarios, helping you to make an informed decision.

Our approach encompasses a whole range of technical valuation techniques including EBITDA multiples, net cash flow, turnover % and also net assets calculations. As an experienced firm in the field of dental practice accountancy and finance, we are perfectly placed to help clients with valuations of practices.

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Financial Due Diligence

The Samera team is a seasoned player in providing a due diligence service to buyers of dental practices. Our experts have combined the experience of over 20 years in buying, selling and setting up dental practices. We understand the business of dentistry implicitly so we can help you in assessing all the financial aspects of a dental practice.

Arun Mehra
CEO

Services

Our approach is rigorous yet realistic, as not all dental practices financial management systems are the same. We request key information in the form of checklists, and then run through all aspects of the target practice financials in detail.

We provide support in reviewing all financial and tax records, system reviews and overall business assessments.

As dental practice owners ourselves, we have extensive knowledge of dental practices and the issues they face. We know the areas to look for problems and, of course, we know the right questions to ask.


Our Checklist

If you are an individual or represent an organisation that is considering a deal then you need to ensure that you thoroughly check all the assumptions that you are making in that deal.

Financial due diligence can provide peace of mind to buyers, by analyzing and validating all the financial, commercial, operational and strategic assumptions being made.

It can utilize past trading performances to form a coherent view of the future and confirm that there are no potential pitfalls involved in any transaction.

The key components of financial due diligence in any acquisition of a dental practice are investigating, verifying and understanding:

  • The financial affairs of the target practice, including valuations
  • The market the practice operates in
  • The commercial sustainability of the business
  • The operational structure, including internal processes and systems
  • Any synergistic opportunities or savings arising out of acquisition
  • A sensible deal structure

Due diligence can also provide the framework for constructing a realistic strategic plan for the newly acquired business by highlighting and commenting on any inherent weaknesses or strengths, as well as identifying potential opportunities for new growth or exploitation of new markets.

Samera is a fantastic team, and always had a good experience every time I reached them.

Five stars

Due Diligence with Samera

Set out below are the areas to be covered in the financial due diligence investigation report in relation to the proposed acquisition of the shares of the Target. The information below is to be prepared for the last two financial years and for the period to the latest available management accounts.

Description of the Business
  • Discussion and understanding of the business activities;
  • Commentary on the registration with CQC;
  • Summary of the premises from which the business operates.
History and Background
  • An understanding of the history of the business and the vendors;
  • Identification of key aspects of the development of the business;
  • A review of the historical accounts and explanation of the key changes in financial performance.
Income and Revenue
  • An analysis of income by:
  • Location/Site
  • Type (to include, Fee per item (with a breakdown of specialist), Plan, NHS, Sundry)
  • Principal/Associate/Hygienist
  • Details of any fee/rate increases applied during the last financial year and the period to date.
  • Details of the method of allocating fee income within the profit and loss account and the appropriateness of the method adopted;
  • An overview of the NHS contract(s);
  • Analysis of UDA/UOA performance and rate (for the last five years), together with a review of the recognition of under performance and monies clawed back;
  • Verification of income to DPB Statements, including review of patients’ charges, remissions and superannuation deductions;
  • Analysis of the number of “live” patients over recent years (where available);
  • Summary of treatment charges.
Expenditure – Direct Costs
  • Material costs and benchmarking;
  • Review of suppliers and key terms and rebates;
  • Laboratory costs and terms;
  • Provision of sufficient data for you to be able to determine synergistic benefits.
Expenditure – Staff Costs
  • Details of current number of staff/associates, type of “employment”, job title/description, qualifications, hourly rate/salary, associate rates, overtime rates, holiday entitlement and arrangements, sick pay, long service awards, length of service and any other benefits;
  • Consideration of the timing and impact of pay reviews;
  • Consideration of locum usage;
  • Details of all ancillary and administrative staff functions, and details of anticipated recurring cost for this;
  • Details of the roles that the current owners (and family) fulfil in the Company, and the potential cost of filling these roles where required;
  • Comparison of actual payroll costs to expected costs calculated by reference to the above analysis.
Expenditure – Other
  • A review of the detail within the profit and loss account of the business for the last two financial years, together with latest management accounts, commenting upon changes and trends within these accounts;
  • Comparison of actual fixed and variable costs to expected levels and consideration of costs included in the historical nominal ledgers;
  • Identification of: professional fees; audit and accountancy; repairs and renewals; equipment hire; finance costs; and other possible non-recurring costs incurred by the current business;
  • Identification of costs relating to the vendors that might not be on-going and analysis of costs required on an on-going basis, to include amongst other things rent and other property costs.
Balance Sheet
  • A review of the balance sheet of the Target at the dates of the last statutory accounts and the latest management accounts;
  • Comment on any unusual or non-trading items; any significant off balance sheet items and intangibles;
  • Fixed assets:
    • Analysis by type and location;
    • Basis of valuation;
    • Depreciation rates;
    • Detailed fixed asset register including values.
  • A review of the debtor balances (trade and other) included within the historical accounts, commenting upon ageing provisions against receivable, policies in relation to invoicing and

agreement of client funding, etc.;

  • A review of the stock balances included within the historical accounts commenting upon the ageing of stock and the appropriateness of the figures included within the accounts;
  • Summary of creditors (trade and other) and its constituent parts, together with an analysis and commentary thereon;
  • A review of assets held under finance leases and other financing arrangements;
  • A summary of other assets and liabilities, including a review of unusual items and significant fluctuations;
  • Analysis of provisions and an assessment of liabilities, litigation and claims;
  • Comment on any balances owed by or to the vendors or associated entities that will require consideration as part of the deal structure.
Cash Flow

A detailed analysis of working capital movements and trends, and reasons for cash movements in historical accounts.

Taxation
  • Review PAYE/NI liabilities, enquiry/inspection visits and most recent correspondence;
  • Consideration of whether the business is or has been registered for VAT, together with Enquiries/inspection visits and recent correspondence;
  • Analyse the corporation tax computations since the date of incorporation (or the last six years, whichever is the shorter) and comment on the corporation tax status of the company, including a review of any investigations by HMRC (if applicable);
  • Consideration of elections and tax planning exercises carried out by the target;
  • A review of “tax sensitive” categories of expenditure within the company, to highlight any potential liabilities;
  • Review of incorporation documentation (if applicable) to include GDC approval of Company Name.
Insurance Cover
  • Summary of the policies held by the business;
  • A summary of the levels of cover held in order that the acquirer and their broker may assess their likely on-going cost and actions required post completion.
Systems Review
  • Identification of key reports prepared by management and operational staff;
  • Discuss accounting and practice management system with management. Key areas include:
    • New patient procedures
    • Income recording and recognition process
    • Expenditure recording and recognition process
    • Wages and salaries (including self employed individuals)
    • Cashbook
    • Petty Cash
    • Nominal Ledger
    • Computing system and software packages

If you want to find out more about due diligence when buying a dental practice, book a free call with us today. We will explain the process, what you need to do next and how we can help.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Xero for Dentists

Xero Gold Partner

Samera is a Xero Gold Partner firm with an extensive set of clients using Xero, the leading cloud accounting platform.

Bookkeeping Support Services for Dentists

Our team of expert bookkeepers are accurate, swift and experienced in bookkeeping and preparing management information for our clients on a timely basis. We deal with all sizes of dental practices and use the latest technology available to ensure accuracy and speed while keeping costs low.

Xero Cloud Accounting for Dentists

Samera is a Xero Partner firm with an extensive set of clients using Xero. 

As a leading Xero Partner for Dentists, Samera can offer:

  • Management accounts
  • Processing payments and receipts
  • Supplier payments
  • Payroll
  • Credit control and debt collection
  • Helping you better understand your practice

Samera have been my accountant for 7 years and have continued to provide me with accurate accounts and timely submissions. Their digital workflow eases the management of receipts and filing. I have found them to be supportive and knowledgeable particularly during the recent crisis. Thank you.

Five stars

Cloud Accounting Benefits for Dentists

Collaborate in the cloud

Bringing more heads to your books is easy with Xero. Just give us access and we’ll log in, look at your numbers and give you advice.

Reconcile from anywhere

Xero receives your bank statements automatically via a secure connection, making it a breeze to reconcile and gain a complete and up-to-date snapshot of your business.

Mobile access

Access accounts, check balances, upload receipts and invoice customers from your smartphone or tablet with Xero’s iPhone or Android app.

Automating your Bookkeeping

For further information about Xero, or to discuss how Samera Chartered Accountants can assist, please get in touch or contact us via our online form.

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

More on Xero for Dentists

To learn more about using Xero as a dentist, check out our webinar on How to Use Xero for Dental Associate Accountants.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

NHS Dental Tenders

Winning an NHS Dental tender is not easy

Winning an NHS Dental Tender can be a very daunting and complex process. It takes patience, experience and investment to ensure you have the best chance of winning an NHS Dental tender.

Samera’s NHS tendering service for dentists has grown from the demands of our clients, wanting to win NHS dental tenders. Since then, we have won numerous:

  • Pre-qualifying questionnaires (PQQ’s)
  • Invitation to tender (ITT’s)

Over the years we have been commissioned by Dental and Orthodontic Practices to provide professional support to their practices during the tendering process. We have worked with practices in preparing tender submissions for General Dental, Orthodontic and Specialist Services (e.g. Minor Oral Surgery) for existing and new services.

When commissioning NHS services for a large geographical area, an NHS England Commissioner will initially invite expressions of interest. Pre-qualifying questionnaires will seek to demonstrate how contractors are to provide quality services that offer value for money.

In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate within your tender submission, how you intend to deliver your Dental/Orthodontic/Specialist Dental service in line with best practice and also with reference to NHS England’s approved national policy documents.

When you enlist our expert services, you gain our team’s extensive experience, a fast turn-round of material and a focused, personalised approach that has made a difference for many dental and medical practices across the UK.

Over recent years, we have seen the demand for NHS Dental contracts grow. This has meant increased competition for UDA’s and the need for a business team to submit a winning tender.

Amazing and valuable resource for both our tender application and providing excellent advice on how to grow and expand our business which goes well beyond what was expected. The amount of work that goes into submitting a tender is not easily realised until going through the process and having [Samera] guide us throughout with the confidence required gave us the peace of mind that we submitted the very best tender possible.

Five stars

Samera’s Key Tips to Winning NHS Dental Tenders

Our team possess extensive experience in the whole NHS tendering process for dentists. In outline, we can help in the following areas:

Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ)

At this initial stage, the PQQ requires a series of questions from an organisation’s general information to financial information to management facilities for potential bidders to answer.

We can help you in this by providing the required information in the prescribed format.

Invitation to Tender (ITT).

If you are invited to tender, then you are required to submit your ITT document in full by a defined date. This is typically a time-consuming exercise which requires inputs from many sources. Our experience has shown that many dentists will not have the experience or knowledge of how to submit a formal tender.

As specialists in the Dental Sector, we have considerable knowledge about submitting ITT documents.

Dental Contract Award

At this stage, the selected applicant has to go through a long panel interview process against the counterpart (generally/normally 5). Also, such interviews can be more than 1 until the supplier is the convinced. We can help in preparation for such interviews to avoid the disappointments at this final stage.

Setting Up In Practice

After the contract award stage, the successful contract winner may need to set up the practice to commence the business/services.

We can help here by providing our valuable setting up a practice, full practice management and management accounting services at an additional cost.

Commencement / On-going services.

At this live business stage, we can monitor and assist in the business and financial performance of the practice on a regular (monthly) basis should you choose to use our Samera Finance Director services. In addition, we can help in the NHS contract renewal process.

We will help you through each stage of the NHS dental tenders process

From financial and business planning to understand the local population demographics, through pre-qualifying questionnaires and preparation of your tender submission bid.  In addition, after your Practice has been shortlisted for an interview we will help you prepare for the final interview with the NHS England Area Team/Health Board.

Our experts have won general dental contractsorthodontic contractsoral surgery contracts to name just a few and have extensive experience to help dental and medical professionals win NHS tenders.

Our principal activity is assisting clients with submitting competitive and convincing pre-qualification questionnaires (PQQ’s) and invitation to tenders (ITT’s) for public and private sector contracts.

Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Tax Planning For Dentists

Accountancy goes the extra mile to solve your problems. Overall Samera is a fantastic team, and always had a good experience every time I reached them.

Five stars

Tax Planning for Dentists

Our team at Samera has extensive experience in offering a whole array of tax planning for dentists and their businesses.

Whether you need help with your personal taxes, business finances, tax investigations or tax loans, it is essential you use a dental accountant who understands the industry.

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know exactly how to handle, plan and process taxes for dentists. We specialise in tax planning and identifying money-saving opportunities for both dentists and practice owners.

Our experts will help plan, implement and process your taxes to ensure you only pay exactly what you need to.

Areas we can usually identify tax savings include:

  • Structuring payroll for Directors
  • Profit extraction planning
  • Use of assets, i.e., company car and capital allowances
  • Claimable expenses
  • Company restructuring
  • Dividend planning
  • Future growth prospects
  • Succession planning
  • Anything specific related to the shareholding and matters of interest

You can find out more about tax saving strategies for dentists here.

Our Tax Services for Dentists

We provide a full range of tax related services for both dentists and practice owners. No matter what you need, our team can help:

  1. Incorporation Assessment
  2. Incorporation Advice
  3. PAYE Registration
  4. Corporate Tax
  5. Personal Tax Return
  6. Self Assessment Registration
  7. Self Assessment deregistration
  8. Partnerships & LLP Tax Return
  9. Annual accounts & Tax Return (Non-resident Landlord)
  10. Value Added Tax (VAT)
  11. P11D Service
  12. Tax investigation Support & Cover
  13. De-registration of PAYE scheme
  14. S455 reclaim process, application and submission
  15. Business Tax Planning & Advice Meetings
  16. General Add on (Charity, CIS, Property, Capital taxes or other)
  17. Personal Tax Planning & Advice
  18. Trust & Estate Tax Return
  19. Capital Gains Tax
  20. Inheritance Tax

Making Tax Digital

Automate your dental accounts and tax when you go digital with our specialist dental accountants.

Learn more

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

R&D Tax Relief

What Are Research And Development Tax Credits? 

Research and Development (R&D) tax credits are a form of tax relief offered by the UK Government aimed at fostering investment into new science and technology in varying industries. R&D tax credits are available to businesses who have invested in advancing research and development in their field. 

To qualify, the project must seek to advance the science and technology of your company’s industry, i.e. dentistry.

Your project must: 

  • look for an advance in science and technology
  • have had to overcome uncertainty
  • tried to overcome this uncertainty
  • could not be easily worked out by a professional in the field

If your practice has invested in a research and development project, you may be eligible for corporate tax reduction or a cash benefit. 

19/20 was my first year with Samera and I wish I had come to them sooner! Thank you!!

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Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide

R&D Projects For Dentists

Below are a list of examples of projects that could count towards Research and Development tax relief. 

  • Projects aimed at improving clinical results and success rates
  • New bonding materials and processes
  • Research into different bone grafting techniques
  • Technological advances in 3D printing
  • Trials in decontamination 

What R&D Tax Relief Is Available

Dental Practices tend to fall under the Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) category. As such, dental practices that have invested in R&D projects are eligible for the Small and medium sized enterprises (SME) R&D Relief.

SME R&D Tax Relief entitles companies to:

  • Deduct an extra 130% of their qualifying costs from their yearly profit – (with the usual 100% deduction this makes a 230% total deduction).
  • If the company is making a loss you can claim a tax credit worth up to 14.5% of the surrenderable loss.

Do I Qualify For R&D Tax Relief? 

With the 31st July tax payment deadline approaching, now is the perfect time to find out whether you and your practice are eligible for Research and Development tax credits. 

If your practice has invested in any R&D projects, or indeed if you plan on doing so in the near future, you may be entitled to tax relief. 

Contact Samera now if you are unsure if your business qualifies, or if you need assistance in claiming your compensation. 

Benefits of R&D Tax Relief – An Example

The example balance sheet below shows just how much in the way of savings you can make by claiming for R&D tax relief.

In this example, you can see that the owed corporation tax without an R&D tax credit would total £47,500.00. However, the same bill with an R&D tax credit claim woulds only total £22,800.00.

That is a tax saving of £24,700.00, or 52%

Sales£1,000,000.00
Cost of Sales(£500,000.00)
Gross Profit£500,000.00
R&D Qualifying Expenditure(£100,000)
Other Expenses (£150,000.00)
Total Operating Costs(£250,000.00)
Net Profit Before Tax £250,000.00
Tax Due (see below)(£22,800.00)
Total Tax(£22,800.00)
Profit After Tax 227,200.00
Tax Computation
Net Profit Before Tax £250,000.00
Less R&D Relief at 130%(£130,000.00)
Adjusted Profit Before Tax £120,000.00
Corporation Tax Due at 19%22,800.00
Corporation Tax Without R&D Tax Credit£47,500.00
Corporation Tax With an R&D Tax Credit Claim £22,800.00
Tax Saving with R&D Tax Credit Claim £24,700.00
% Saving 52%

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Tax Investigation Insurance Cover

Protect yourself with our Tax Enquiry and Investigation Service

It’s simply good risk management!

Just £149 for 12 months.

Sign up now to take advantage of our Tax Enquiry and Investigation Service.


Every year, HMRC carries out enquiries into the tax affairs of an increasing number of individuals and businesses in the UK. Many people find an HMRC enquiry disruptive, intrusive, stressful and ultimately expensive.

By joining our Tax Enquiry and Investigation Service, you will benefit from the peace of mind that comes from knowing you are protected.

Click here to read our articles Samera.


Saving you money and stress

Our service will pay our professional fees that result from most types of HMRC enquiries or full investigation (full details are listed on the Service Summary).

We have taken out an insurance policy in our own name that is backed by Professional Fee Protection Limited (PfP®), one of the UK’s leading providers. Our policy enables us to provide you with expert advice and peace of mind knowing we will work on your case to resolve the situation up to our service limits.

Just £149 for 12 months.

I wish other companies could replicate this level of customer service.

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Click here to read our article on Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide.

Protecting you and your business

By signing up to our Service, we are able to make a claim against our insurance policy held with Professional Fee Protection, in respect of our fees incurred (up to £100,000 per claim unless otherwise indicated) when we defend you if you are subject to any of the following events:

  • A Full Enquiry
  • An Aspect Enquiry
  • A Business Inspection Notice
  • VAT/PAYE/CIS Compliance Visit*
  • VAT Dispute
  • PAYE/NIC/CIS Dispute
  • Employment Status Dispute
  • IHT Cover**
  • Gift Aid Inspection*
  • Partners/Directors Cover
  • Application for a Judicial Review**
  • Code of Practice 8 Investigation**
  • IR35 Status Check*
  • IR35 Dispute
  • Interventions (Informal Enquiries)*

Just £149 for 12 months.

*The limit of indemnity for this is £2,000
** The limit of indemnity for this is £5,000

Tax Investigation Insurance Cover for Dentists

For more information on how to protect yourself from HMRC with our Tax please download our Information Pack and FAQs.

If you have any questions about this service, or if you have any general tax queries, please contact us today.

Tax Investigation Insurance Information Pack

Tax Investigation insurance FAQs

Just £149 for 12 months.

Dental Accounts & Tax Specialists

As dental practice owners ourselves, we know what makes a clinic tick. We have been working with dentists for over 20 years to help manage their accounts and tax.

Whether you’re a dental associate, run your own practice or own a dental group and are looking to save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax then we want to hear from you. Our digital platform takes the hassle and the paperwork out of accounts.

To find out more about how you can save time, money and effort on your accounts and tax when you automate your finances with Samera, book a free consultation with one of our accounting team today.

Dental Accounts & Tax: Further Information

For more articles, webinars and blogs on dental accounts check out the dental accountancy section of our Learning Centre and follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.