Why it matters
Most associates overpay tax simply because their accountant does not understand dentistry
Most dental associates are self-employed from the day they qualify. That means a tax return every year, a set of allowable expenses that are specific to the profession, and a growing list of decisions – about pensions, about incorporation, about what happens when your income increases – that have real financial consequences.
Accounts for associates is part of our full dental accountancy service – a specialist offering built around the realities of how dental associates earn, pay tax and grow.
A general accountant can file a self-assessment return. What they will rarely know is the full list of expenses a dental associate can legitimately claim, whether your current income level makes a limited company worth the extra cost and compliance, or how to structure pension contributions in a way that actively reduces your tax bill.
Samera has worked exclusively with dentists since 2002. We know the questions to ask and the reliefs to look for at every stage of an associate’s career.
What we handle
Do dental associates really need a specialist accountant?
Yes – and the difference shows up in your tax bill. A general accountant can file your return. A dental specialist knows which expenses associates can claim, when incorporation actually pays off, and how the NHS pension interacts with the rest of your income. Here is what we handle for every associate on our books:
- Self-assessment tax return – prepared, checked and filed on time every year. We deal with HMRC so you do not have to.
- Allowable expenses review – we go through your outgoings every year to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to. Associates miss more than you might expect.
- Tax planning – proactive advice on reducing your liability, not just filing what you hand us. Included from Associate Comprehensive upwards. For a full breakdown of the tax planning strategies available to dentists, see our tax planning for dentists page.
- Incorporation advice – if a limited company could save you money, we will tell you. If it would not, we will tell you that too.
- Making Tax Digital – from April 2026, associates earning over £50,000 must file quarterly with HMRC. We migrate you to Xero and handle the submissions on your behalf.
- HMRC correspondence – any queries, letters or investigations handled by our team directly.
- Dedicated dental accountant – one named contact who knows your file, not a different person every time you call.
Why Samera
We work exclusively with dentists. That is the whole difference.
We own dental practices
We built, own and operate The Neem Tree Dental Group. Our advice comes from direct experience of running the kind of business our clients operate – not just the numbers on a spreadsheet.
Fellow of the ICAEW
Arun Mehra FCA holds the most senior tier of UK chartered accountancy. The whole accounts team is qualified and trained specifically in dental sector work.
Dentistry only
We do not serve retail, hospitality or construction. NHS contracts, associate splits, UDA structures and CQC compliance are what we deal with every day.
With you for your whole career
Many of our clients came to us as associates and are still with us as practice owners and group directors. We know their financial history and their ambitions – that continuity is hard to replicate.
Packages
Straightforward pricing with no year-end surprises
All packages are fixed fee plus VAT. Choose the level of support that fits where you are right now – you can move up as your career develops.
For self-employed associates
Associate
Associate Basic
From £750/year + VAT
Ideal for associate dentists who require basic tax compliance with minimal day-to-day support.
- Preparation and submission of your Self-Assessment Tax Return
- Review of allowable business expenses
- Annual tax reminders, deadline tracking and payment reminders
- Email support for general queries
- Dedicated dental tax accountant
For associates with a limited company
Limited Company
Ltd Company Basic
From £1,350/year + VAT
Ideal for associates who want minimal support and only need to meet statutory requirements.
- Limited company year-end accounts preparation
- Corporation tax return filing (CT600)
- Software subscription
- Companies House confirmation statement filing
- Basic director self-assessment tax return (1 director)
- Basic email support
- Dedicated dental tax accountant
Limited Company
Ltd Company Comprehensive
Full Service
From £1,950/year + VAT
Best suited for high-earning associates or those who want peace of mind and proactive tax advice.
- Everything in Ltd Standard, plus:
- Tax investigation cover
- Quarterly or monthly tax planning reviews
- Regular meetings (virtual or in person)
- Priority support and proactive deadline reminders
- Proactive advice on dividend strategy and director salary planning
Not sure which package is right for you? Book a free 30-minute call and we will recommend the right level of support based on your income, expenses and where you are in your career.
Coming soon
Samera AI add-ons
We are building AI-powered tools to automate associate pay reconciliation, track tax liabilities in real time and give you live financial insight into your earnings. Add-on packages will be available through samera.ai – join the waitlist to be first to know.
If you own a dental practice or are thinking about becoming a practice owner, see our accounts for practice owners packages which are designed for the different financial needs of practice ownership.
How it works
Most associates are up and running within two weeks
- Book a free call – A 30-minute conversation with our accounts team – just a clear picture of what you need and what it will cost.
- We handle the handover – If you have an existing accountant, we take care of the transfer. Most clients find the switch takes less time than they expected.
- We set up your systems – We get you onto Xero, organise your records and make sure everything is in order before your first filing deadline.
- Ongoing support as your career develops – Annual accounts, self-assessment, tax planning and HMRC correspondence – all handled. We flag opportunities proactively when your circumstances change.
Who this is for
We work with associates at every career stage
Whether you are filing your first self-assessment or working out whether a limited company makes sense after a significant income increase, our team has been through it before with hundreds of associates.
- Newly qualified associates
- Experienced associates
- NHS associates
- Private associates
- Mixed NHS and private
- Associates with a limited company
- Associates earning over £50,000 (MTD)
- Associates considering practice ownership
Client reviews
What associates say about working with Samera
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, Dentist – 5 Stars
…amazing helpful and never made me feel silly for the million questions I had, and was always very accessible. 19/20 was my first year with Samera and I wish I had come to them sooner!”
Abi, Dentist – 5 Stars
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, Dentist – 5 Stars
I’ve had an outstanding experience with Samera, and I can’t recommend them enough! … incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive throughout. Her attention to detail and ability to clearly explain complex financial matters has been a huge relief for me as a dentist managing both clinical work and business responsibilities.
Emre, Dentist – 5 Stars
Who you’ll work with
Speak to the dental associates team
Book a free, no-obligation call directly with the team member whose work matches what you need.
Accountancy Senior Manager
- Dental Accountancy and Tax for Practice Owner
- Tax Saving Advice
- Samera AI – Automation of Financial Systems
Business Development Executive – Accountancy and Tax
- Dental Accountancy
- Tax for Dental Associates
- Making Tax Digital Expert
CEO
- Dental Accountancy and Tax for Dental Groups and DSOs
- Samera AI – Automation of Financial Systems
- Samera Global – Outsourcing, Offshoring and GCCs
Get in touch
Or send us a message
If you’d prefer to send us your details rather than book a call, fill in the form below and our team will be in touch as soon as possible.
- Phone: (+44) 20 7100 8788
- WhatsApp: Message us on WhatsApp
Related services
Other ways Samera supports associates
Dental accountants
Full accounts and tax service for dentists – associates, practice owners and groups.
Further reading
Guides to dental associate accounts and tax
Taxes for Dental Associates
Everything you need to know about managing your tax as a self-employed associate, from your first self-assessment to more complex planning.
Dentist and Dental Associate Expenses Guide
A complete guide to the expenses dental associates can claim on their tax return, including items that are commonly missed.
Bookkeeping for Dentists
Why good bookkeeping matters for your practice finances and how to keep your records in order throughout the year.
Accounts and Tax for Dentists Explained
Everything you need to know about accounts for dentists, associates and practice owners.
Frequently asked questions
Dental associate accounts FAQs
How much does an accountant cost for a dental associate?
Our associate packages start from £750 per year plus VAT. Associates with a limited company start from £1,350 per year. All fees are fixed with no hourly rates or unexpected bills at year end. Book a free call and we will confirm your exact fee upfront.
Do dental associates need a specialist accountant?
A general accountant can file a self-assessment return but is unlikely to understand the specific expenses, reliefs and planning opportunities available to dental associates. The fee difference between a generalist and a specialist is usually recovered within the first year.
What is included in the monthly fee?
Every package is fixed fee and covers everything listed – there are no add-ons for basic work like HMRC correspondence or filing reminders. The difference between packages is the level of proactive support and planning included, not hidden extras bolted on later.
I already have an accountant – is it worth switching?
If your current accountant does not specialise in dentistry, the honest answer is probably yes. The most common issues we see when associates switch to us are missed expense claims, no incorporation review and no proactive tax planning – just compliance. Book a free call and we will give you an honest view of whether switching would benefit you.
How long does it take to switch to Samera?
Most transitions are completed within two weeks. We contact your existing accountant, request the relevant records and handle the handover. Most associates find it takes less effort than they expected.
Does Making Tax Digital affect dental associates?
From April 2026, associates earning over £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. The threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027. If this applies to you, we migrate you to Xero and handle the submissions as part of your package.
Talk to a dental accountant who has seen your situation before
Book a free 30-minute call with Natasha or the team – just an honest conversation about your accounts, your tax position and where we can help.