There are three ways in which you can own a dental practice: –
- As a sole trader
- As a partnership
- As a limited company
As a sole trader or partnership, you must be a GDC registrant and a practising dentist in order to own a dental practice.
In a limited company, as long as a majority of the company directors are dental registrants, you do not have to be GDC registered.
Dental registrants include dentists, therapists and nurses. So for example, you could have co-Directors who are registrants and you could still be a director of the company.
Key Requirements:
- Registered Dentist: A registered dentist must always be involved in the management and clinical oversight of the practice, regardless of the ownership structure.
- GDC Registration: The dentist responsible for the practice must be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC), the regulatory body for dentists in the UK.
- Compliance with Regulations: The practice must comply with all relevant dental regulations and standards, including those related to patient safety, quality of care, and financial management.
In summary, while a non-dentist can own a dental practice, it is essential to have a registered dentist involved in the management and clinical aspects of the practice to ensure compliance with GDC regulations and provide quality dental care.