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Dental Law

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Home/ Dental Law Solicitors

Legal support for Dentists and Dental Practices

 

Our dedicated Primary Care Team provides expert legal advice tailored to the unique challenges faced by dentists and dental practices. We work with individual dental practitioners, dental partnerships, limited companies, dental corporations, as well as professional associations and the wider dental team.

 

Whether you’re starting, managing or growing a dental practice, we provide cost-effective, specialist legal support to help you navigate complex regulations, contracts and business matters:

How we can help

We understand the complexities of running a dental practice and offer practical, tailored legal solutions in the following key areas:

 

 

Regulatory & Compliance

 

NHS contracts & regulatory issues

Our team is highly experienced in advising on NHS regulations and dental contracts, including:

  • Contract reviews & variations – GDS Contracts, PDS and PDS Plus Agreements
  • Contract termination – handing back NHS contracts or challenging termination notices.
  • Contract protection - Protecting your NHS contract in cases of death or serious illness
  • Additional payments - Advising on NHS maternity/paternity/adoption pay, suspension pay, non-domestic rates reimbursement and NHS long-term sickness payments
  • Disputes with NHS England & NHS Business Services Authority – challenging remedial and breach notices and clawback claims

 

CQC registration & regulation

Whether you are registering a new practice, changing ownership or preparing for inspection, we can assist with:

  • New CQC registrations – Navigating the process for individuals, partnerships, and companies
  • Registration amendments – Ensuring compliance when adding partners or incorporating your practice
  • Preparing for CQC inspections – Advice on policies, procedures, and key standards
  • Responding to enforcement action – Challenging warning notices, conditions, or suspensions

 

Data protection & GDPR compliance

Data security is a key concern for dental practices. We advise on:

  • Updating privacy notices & policies – Ensuring compliance with GDPR
  • Data security and protection toolkit
  • Protecting patient data & record-keeping requirements
  • Data breaches & subject access requests – Managing compliance and mitigating risks..

 

Performers List registration & disputes

We help NHS dentists navigate the Performers List application and appeals process, including:

  • Application support – Ensuring compliance with NHS England requirements
  • Appealing unsuccessful applications – Challenging unfair refusals
  • Managing Performers List conditions – Advising on imposed restrictions
  • Suspensions & removal from the List – Providing robust defence and appeal representation

 

24-Hour retirement & NHS contract protection

We assist dentists looking to take 24-hour retirement while ensuring contract continuity, particularly for single-handed practitioners. Our services include:

  • Forming Partnerships to protect NHS contracts – Ensuring compliance with NHS England rules
  • Adding additional signatories to a PDS agreement – Facilitating a smooth transition
  • CQC registration changes – Managing updates following retirement

Business & Property Matters

Practice Formation, Mergers & Sales

We provide expert legal support at every stage of your business journey, including:

  • Setting up Dental Practices – Drafting partnership agreements and incorporating limited companies
  • Buying, selling & merging practices – Handling due diligence, regulatory approvals, and contracts
  • Partnership Agreements/Expense Sharing Arrangements – Drafting Plain English Partnership Agreements that are practical and easy to understand.

Leases & Property Issues

Whether you own or lease your dental practice premises, we can assist with:

  • Negotiating & reviewing lease terms – Securing favourable terms for new leases or renewals
  • Lease assignments & terminations – Advising on exit strategies and obligations
  • Property disputes – Resolving disagreements with landlords or tenants

Employment & Workforce Matters

Employment Law & HR Support

We support dental practices with:

  • Employment contracts & associate agreements – Drafting and reviewing agreements for employees, self-employed dentists
  • Disciplinary & grievance procedures – Ensuring compliance with employment law and CQC requirements
  • Employment disputes & tribunal representation – Defending claims, including unfair dismissal and discrimination
  • TUPE transfers – Advising on staff transfers when buying or selling a practice
  • NHS notice period compliance – Avoiding contract termination risks

Practice Disputes & Resolution

Disputes within a dental practice can be disruptive and costly. Our team provides specialist advice and mediation services to help resolve conflicts efficiently.

  • Resolving Partnership Conflicts – Advising on contractual disputes, partnership disputes and partner exits
  • Confidential & Cost-Effective Dispute Resolution – Avoiding court proceedings where possible
  • Employment mediation and facilitation for staff disagreements
  • Disputes with NHS England

 

Why Choose Porter Dodson for Dental Law?

  • Recognised excellence – Ranked in The Legal 500 for our expertise in Medical Partnerships
  • Clear, cost-effective advice – We speak your language, not legal jargon, and tailor our guidance to your business circumstances.
  • Joined-up legal support – Our team works seamlessly across employment, property, corporate commercial, litigation, family and private client to protect your personal and business interests.
  • Trusted by generations – With deep roots in the community, we’ve supported families and business owners across the South West and beyond for decades.

Key Contacts

Victoria Walker

Victoria Walker

Position: Partner
Sarah Young

Sarah Young

Position: Partner

News and Insights

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Need legal advice for your Dental practice?

Speak to our Primary Care legal team today.

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Stephanie has always been polite, efficient, helpful and thorough in all my dealings with her. Her availability for phone calls has been very good and her advice is always thoughtful and found. She is a real asset to Porter Dodson.

Michael

We have used Zara and Rosie at Porter Dodson several times and they have supported us through both a recent successful sale and purchase. They are extremely responsive and efficient, meaning we were never the rate-limiting step on either transaction. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a solicitor.

Abi

Thank you to Abigail and Dawn. The service you have provided me has been excellent. Thank you for the swift action, communication and advice. Mostly thank you for the empathy and respect you have shown me during this process.

Employment Client

Thank you to Abigail and Dawn. The service you have provided me has been excellent. Thank you for the swift action, communication and advice. Mostly thank you for the empathy and respect you have shown me during this process.

Employment Client

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