Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

T he annual benchmark- ing statistics just is- sued by NASDAL reflect the wider economy in 2010- 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available. Fee income is down for both the NHS and private sectors, profits are generally down and costs have increased. The average net profit for a typical dental practice has reduced from £139,569 to £125,691. Calculated annually by NASDAL firm Humphrey and Co, the statistics are gath- ered from a sample of prac- tices across the UK to provide average ‘state-of-the-nation’ figures. They are used by NASDAL accountants to help dentists and dental practices benchmark their figures. A limited version of the statistics is made public at an annual press conference to produce a snapshot of dental practice fi- nances across the country over recent years. The statistics reflect the fee income of both NHS and private practices. To fit in either cat- egory, you must have a greater than 80 per cent commitment. In NHS practices, fee income has fallen by three per cent, whilst profits fell by nearly 10 per cent compared to the pre- vious year and are now back down to 2005/6 levels. Private practice fee income has remained static but rising costs have led to a seven per cent drop in net profit. The average UDA rate paid to prac- tices appears to have remained static at around £25 over the last three years. While the highest UDA rate paid to a practice was around £44, the highest to an as- sociate was £33.50. The profit of Associates has continued to fall and in 2010- 2011 stood at around £68,000 compared to £71,000 in the pre- vious year. The majority of as- sociates still enjoy a 50 per cent agreement with their principal but this is not always 50 per cent of the full UDA rate agreed with the Primary Care Trust. Ian Simpson, Chartered Ac- countant and Specialist Dental Advisor, said that while private practice appeared to be surviv- ing reasonably well despite the economy in 2010-11, mixed practices had suffered. He add- ed, larger practices had expe- rienced the greatest impact on profit. Nick Ledingham, NASDAL chairman, of Specialist Den- tal Accountants Morris and Co, speaking at the press confer- ence, said the figures provided an interesting insight into how dentists and their patients re- sponded to an economy in the doldrums. He believes the NHS fee income has dropped be- cause fewer non-exempt pa- tients were going for treatment and some dentists were opting not to fulfill or were unable to fulfill their NHS contract. He believes mixed practices which have fared least well are best placed to prosper as the econo- my recovers. He added: “NASDAL clients will benefit hugely from the statistics as their accountants will be able to benchmark their results and work with them to ensure they are well placed to maximise their potential.” DT Profits down, costs up in NASDAL stats for 2010-2011 April 9-15, 2012United Kingdom Edition S&Sdental services S &S Dental Services has been awarded sole south west-based distributor sta- tus for Planmeca dental equip- ment. The Planmeca tie-up means S&S Dental is now the only deal- er based in Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset who can deal directly with the Planmeca factory to get the best prices for these award-winning pieces of equipment. Paul Sutcliffe, owner S&S Dental Services said: “We are delighted to be an official dis- tributor for Planmeca. We’re a great match as they specialise in the design and manufacture of high tech dental equipment and we are known for our excellent service and extensive product knowledge. “Dentists chose Planmeca products because they are cut- ting edge, not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of design. Gone are the days when surgeries look sparse and somewhat frightening. Plan- meca products are very stylish and play a key role in helping to make visiting and working in the practice a more enjoyable experience for patient and den- tists.” Plymouth-based S&S Dental Services provides a one-stop sales and service shop to more than 1000 practices throughout the south west. They have been awarded the Planmeca contract because of its established repu- tation in the dental field. The south west enjoys a high con- centration of dental surgeries using Planmeca, so S&S Dental will be able to provide a local service to these dental clinics and practices using, as well as introduce these fantastic high- tech products to those who are looking to invest in new equip- ment. For more information about S&S Dental and Planmeca, call 0844 272 4561. Planmeca appoints South West distributor Planmeca Sovereign, just one of a range of Planmeca products available from S&S Dental Services