The latest Lloyds Bank Healthcare Confidence Index 2025 paints a positive picture for the dental profession. With 75% of dentists expecting profit growth this year and inflationary pressures beginning to ease, confidence is rising and with it comes the perfect opportunity to reinvest in your practice.
As Andy Acton, Director at Frank Taylor & Associates and expert contributor to the report, explains:
“The figures show that confidence is returning and that’s a powerful signal to take stock and act.”
If you’re thinking about making your next move, here are five smart ways to reinvest in 2025 that could set your practice up for long-term success.
- Upgrade Clinical Equipment
Investing in new equipment – whether it’s digital scanners, imaging technology or more efficient chair setups -can:
- Increase treatment efficiency
- Enhance patient experience
- Support new service offerings (e.g. aligners, implants)
- Boost your practice valuation
As margins begin to improve, using available capital to futureproof your clinical offering makes strong business sense.
- Invest in Your Team
Recruitment and retention continue to be top concerns in the dental sector. Smart principals are using this moment to:
- Offer enhanced staff benefits or training
- Upskill existing team members
- Improve working conditions
- Strengthen team culture and leadership structures
A well-supported, motivated team means better patient care and less reliance on expensive locum support.
- Expand or Refresh Your Premises
With growing confidence and patient demand returning, many practices are:
- Refurbishing tired surgeries or reception areas
- Adding new surgeries to increase capacity
- Introducing more private space for consultations
- Investing in energy-efficient upgrades to reduce costs
This not only improves patient perception but increases the tangible value of your business.
- Build Out Private Services
Whether you’re NHS, mixed or fully private, expanding high-value private treatments, such as facial aesthetics, cosmetic dentistry, clear aligners or whitening, can deliver excellent ROI.
Use this period of improved profit to:
- Upskill clinicians in new services
- Develop treatment plans and pricing
- Market private services more effectively
Patients are increasingly looking for more than just routine care so be ready to meet that demand.
- Prepare for Sale or Succession
Even if you’re not selling now, 2025 is an ideal time to prepare for your future exit. Confidence in the market creates a strong foundation to:
- Get a professional practice valuation
- Review financials and structure
- Develop a succession or associate-led model
- Make improvements that increase saleability
As Andy Acton highlights in the Index, this year could be the turning point for many owners, whether they’re scaling up or stepping back.
Confidence Creates Opportunity
The Lloyds Bank Index proves that dentists are feeling more optimistic and the smart ones are turning that into action.
Whether you’re planning to grow, diversify, or exit, now is the time to take the next step.
Speak to our expert team today on 0330 088 1156.
Read the full Lloyds Bank Healthcare Confidence Index 2025
