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.