Running a dental practice is no small feat. While your days might be spent improving smiles, behind the scenes it can often feel like a constant juggling act especially when it comes to cashflow. The financial health of your practice is just as important as your patients’ oral health, and without a steady, predictable flow of income, even the most clinically successful practice can find itself in trouble.

In this blog, we’ll explore why cashflow pressure is such a common issue for dentists, the hidden dangers it creates, and how tailored support from A4G can help you get ahead of the problem, rather than constantly reacting to it.

Why is cashflow so challenging for dentists?

Dental practices face some unique cashflow challenges compared to other small businesses:

High overheads

From top-of-the-line dental chairs and sterilisation units to ongoing costs like staff wages, lab bills, PPE, and consumables, the cost of keeping a practice running is eye-watering. And many of those costs are non-negotiable.

Timing mismatches

You’re often paying for supplies and salaries upfront while waiting weeks or months to receive payment especially if you work with the NHS or offer finance options to private patients.

NHS payment delays

If you rely heavily on NHS work, late or unpredictable contract payments can have a major knock-on effect on your day-to-day cash position.

Practice expansion and investment

Modernising your practice or expanding services often requires a significant upfront investment, and many practice owners dip into personal funds or overdrafts to cover the shortfall.

Cashflow issues don’t always mean the business is failing. In fact, many profitable dental practices struggle with cashflow because of how and when the money moves in and out. But the impact can be serious: sleepless nights, missed payments, stalled growth, and sometimes even staff turnover or tax penalties.

How A4G helps dentists solve cashflow challenges

At A4G, we understand the business side of dentistry. We work with practices of all sizes helping them not only survive but thrive. Here’s how we can help you stay in control of your cashflow.

1. Cashflow Forecasting tailored to Dental Practices

One of the biggest problems we see is that dentists rarely have a clear picture of what’s coming in and going out over the next 3, 6, or 12 months. Without that clarity, it’s hard to make confident decisions.

We build bespoke cashflow forecasts that:

  • Reflect your income split between NHS and private work
  • Account for seasonality, staffing costs, and known investment plans
  • Include “what-if” scenarios to help you plan for expansion or unexpected costs

With a clear, real-time forecast, you’ll know exactly when cash is likely to be tight, and have the tools to deal with it in advance—not in panic.

2. Managing NHS/Private payment splits and payment plans

If you offer private treatment plans, patient finance, or work across both NHS and private contracts, managing the flow of payments can be tricky.

We’ll help you:

  • Analyse the timing of your NHS income and prepare for possible delays
  • Review the profitability and cash impact of different treatment types
  • Design patient payment plans that support both affordability and your cashflow

Our advisers can also help you consider the wider business model: is your practice too dependent on one type of income? Is your pricing strategy supporting the financial side of the business?

3. Helping you access finance

Investing in new equipment or expanding your practice can dramatically improve revenue but only if it’s funded in the right way. Many dentists resort to overdrafts or dipping into personal savings without exploring all the options.

A4G can:

  • Help you create a business case for funding equipment or renovations
  • Introduce you to trusted lenders who understand the dental sector
  • Advise on asset finance, practice loans, and tax-efficient borrowing

Sometimes, just restructuring your finance arrangements can free up thousands in monthly outgoings.

Why work with A4G?

We’re not just number crunchers. We’re business partners who understand the unique pressures dentists face, and we go beyond standard accountancy services to offer proactive advice.

Whether you’re running a solo practice or a growing group, we know what works in the dental industry and how to give you more headspace, confidence, and control over your business.

If cashflow pressure is holding your dental practice back, now is the time to take action. With the right support and forward planning, you can stop fighting fires and start building a practice that works for you.

Book a free 1-2-1 with our dental business advisors today.

We’ll listen to your concerns, review your current setup, and help you put together a plan to stabilise and strengthen your cash position—so you can focus on your patients, not your bank balance.

Schedule your free consultation now by completing the form below, or calling 01474 853 856.

Contact me today!

Emma White

FCA

Co Managing Partner

01474 853856

Send me a message

Other posts of interest

See more articles