When Aled Clement, principal dentist and practice owner of Llandeilo Road Dental in Cross Hands southwest Wales, bought the practice 10 years ago he knew he was taking on a well-established mixed practice that had been in existence for around 30 years. At that time, it operated a model of around 80% private capitation plan patients and 20% NHS.
Over the next few years Aled set about completely renovating the practice and growing it from three surgeries to four. He has also introduced implant treatment and invested in digital technology to enhance his patients’ care and experience.
The Tipping Point
Although NHS treatments accounted for a relatively small proportion of the business the bureaucracy surrounding it was disproportionately onerous. Especially post-COVID the terms of the NHS Dental Contract became more complicated and demanding as more changes and tweaks were added. Over time, the strain of trying to deliver two standards of care under one roof became untenable. “The financial constraints of the NHS made it unethical,” Aled explains. “We couldn’t offer the same level of care to NHS patients as we did to our private ones. It wasn’t fair on anyone—especially not the patients who were essentially subsidising the NHS side of the business.”
The final straw came with the introduction of yet more new NHS contract requirements, including enforced new patient quotas. “It became impossible,” he says. “The bureaucracy, the uncertainty, the constant changes—it just wasn’t sustainable.”
However, despite this the decision to leave the NHS wasn’t made lightly. Like many dentists making the move away from NHS dentistry, Aled still felt torn about withdrawing NHS dental services, especially from children. However, after years of navigating the bureaucratic challenges of a mixed practice, and at the end of his tether in September 2023, Aled chose to hand back his NHS dental contract.
Unrivalled support
Aled chose DPAS to help him make the move who supported the practice team every step of the way during the process. Despite the emotional and logistical weight of the decision, the transition to private dentistry was smoother than Aled anticipated thanks in large part to the support from the team at DPAS. However, Aled singles out his dedicated field team member, Katrina James for special mention.
“Kat was a legend,” Aled says. “She supported us through everything—from the emotional side to the practicalities. She made sure the whole team was on the ball, hitting deadlines and getting communications out to patients.”
As testament to the success of the conversion, the practice hit its target for patient sign-ups within 10 working days of going live. Grumbles regarding the change were minimal with the majority of patients understanding the reasons behind the change. As many were already on private plans only a relatively small proportion of patients were affected. In reality, Aled experienced a greater pushback when he increased his care plan prices the following year than when he left the NHS.
Life After the NHS
Now, nearly two years on, the results speak for themselves: a thriving business, happier patients, and a renewed sense of professional freedom. The difference post-conversion has been night and day. “Now, the only people I have to satisfy are the patients, my team and myself,” Aled says. “The business is on fire. Financially, it’s better. Operationally, it’s easier. No more forms, no more arbitrary targets, no more health boards breathing down our necks.”
The freedom has allowed Aled to focus on what matters most: patient care and practice growth. By September, every chair will be in use every day. Income earned will stay within the practice as the fear of clawback is now a thing of the past. “We can plan now,” he says. “We know what’s in the bank. We can invest in the building, in new services. We’ve even recruited a fantastic young dentist who’s already seen the difference between NHS and private working.”
Any regrets?
“The only thing we’ve lost is access to the NHS pension,” Aled admits. “That was probably the only thing keeping us in it for so long.”
Ideologically, the decision to leave the NHS was harder when it came to children’s dentistry. “If we could have kept a child-only contract, I might have done that,” he says. “But the system doesn’t allow for that anymore.”
Looking Ahead
With over 3,000 patients on plan and more joining every day, Aled’s practice is thriving. For now, he’s content to keep consolidating his business in a single location. He feels the business would “lose the magic” by opening a second location.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the journey, Aled is unequivocal: “Life is much better since leaving the NHS. We’re growing, we’re investing, and we’re delivering the kind of care we believe in.”
For any dentist considering the leap, Aled’s advice is clear: “With the right support—especially from someone like Kat at DPAS—it’s not just possible. It’s the best decision we ever made.”
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