Practice Plan to host Dental Business Theatre at BDCDS 2026

Once again, Practice Plan will be hosting the Dental Business Theatre at the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show (BDCDS) in Birmingham on 15 and 16 May 2026.

Practice Plan is back! The Dental Business Theatre will bring together a broad range of speakers to explore the key business, regulatory and operational issues facing dental practices today.

Across the two days, the theatre programme focuses on the practical realities of running a practice in an increasingly uncertain environment, addressing subjects from profitability and regulation through to technology, employment law and the future of NHS dentistry. Sessions are designed to offer informed insight rather than theory, with discussion rooted in current pressures and genuine real‑world experience.

A focus on business resilience

Our programme opens with a session on Dental Practice Profitability in 2026, chaired by head of dental at Wesleyan Iain Stevenson, and featuring Andy Acton of Frank Taylor & Associates, UNW’s Mike Blenkharn and Wesleyan dental specialist financial adviser, Magdelena Harding.

With rising costs, shifting patient expectations and changes in practice valuations continuing to affect the sector, the panel will examine what is happening in the market and what it means for practice finances. The session will look at current drivers of financial pressure, emerging revenue opportunities and the steps practices can take to remain resilient in an unpredictable year.

‘This has been a particularly challenging 12 months for businesses with the hike in energy costs due to the conflict in the Middle East coming on top of changes to minimum wage, employer national insurance and contract reform in both England and Wales,’ said Mike Blenkharn. ‘I’m sure practice owners and managers will be keen to learn more about how they can navigate their way through these difficult conditions. I hope that anyone coming to the session feels better informed about their options by the end and that we can spread a little bit of hope among the gloom.’

Regulation remains a significant concern for many dentists and practice leaders and our session, ‘Regulation, complaints and litigation: what’s changing?’, will address this head on.

Hosted by Practice Plan director, Nigel Jones, it brings together the GDC’s Executive Director of Regulation, Theresa Thorp, veteran dental consultant, Stephen Henderson, practice owner and Head of BDA indemnity, Len D’Cruz and British Association of Private Dentistry President, Simon Thackeray. With the GDC introducing its 2026-2028 strategy, focused on building trust and reducing the climate of fear, the panel will explore whether the regulatory landscape is beginning to shift, and what this means in practical terms for practices managing complaints, investigations and litigation.

Technology, the patient journey and NHS reform

The role of technology in shaping patient expectations will be explored in ‘The tech‑powered patient journey’, hosted by Les Jones. Speakers business coach Michael Bentley, Adam Smith of Boxly, and founders of Smile Clinic Group, Kish Patel and Jin Vaghela will discuss how AI and digital tools are being used by practices to streamline workflows, improve communication and deliver a more personalised patient experience, while maintaining efficiency and consistency.

NHS dentistry will also be firmly in focus. ‘NHS dentistry 2026: reform and the road ahead’, again hosted by Nigel Jones, will bring together BDA chair Eddie Crouch, practice owner and BDA deputy chair Lauren Harrhy and BDA GDPC chair Shiv Pabary to examine the future direction of NHS and mixed dentistry across England and Wales. With ongoing reform and continued uncertainty for many contract holders, the panel will provide practical insight into how changes may affect workflows, teams and patient access, and how practices can begin to plan for what lies ahead.

‘The manner in which reform of NHS dental contracts in Wales was introduced with the new contract in April 2026 was shockingly disrespectful,’ Lauren said. ‘Practices have been expected to make an ill-prepared, un-piloted system work without even the fundamentals such as patient-facing pricing information. Software companies were given insufficient time to adapt their systems to the new regulations and consequently, practice owners and managers are seeing claims for payment rejected on multiple occasions.

‘Despite the stated aim of the reform being to improve patient access, the increases in charges are forcing some patients to delay or refuse treatment. This could lead to a further decline in the country’s oral health and the advent of a two-tier system as those who can pay opt for private dental care and the working poor are squeezed out.’

Managing teams and long‑term change

Employment law remains another area of growing complexity for practice owners. ‘Employment law essentials: what’s new?’ hosted by creative consultant at Practice Plan Les Jones, and featuring HR and employment law solicitor and director of Buxton Coates Solicitors Sarah Buxton and team performance specialist Mark Topley, will cover recent changes in employment law and what they mean for recruitment, contracts and day‑to‑day management. The session will focus on practical steps practices can take to remain compliant while maintaining a supportive and well‑run workplace.

The programme concludes with ‘Moving from NHS to private dentistry’, chaired by Practice Plan head of sales Zoe Close, with Practice Plan area manager Suki Singh and regional support manager (RSM) Louise Anderson will be joined by Manish Chitnis, a practice owner who has already made the transition, to share practical insight into what the move involves. Topics will include understanding patient demand, setting fees, managing communication and navigating the operational changes involved, offering attendees a realistic picture of the transition rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.

Practical insight for practice leaders

Practice Plan’s Dental Business Theatre aims to reflect the conversations currently taking place in practices across the UK. Rather than focusing on abstract strategy, sessions centre on the decisions practice owners and managers are making now, often under significant pressure.

For those attending BDCDS 2026, the theatre offers an opportunity to hear directly from experienced voices from across dentistry, regulation, finance and business support, and to take away insight that can be applied immediately within their own practices.

The Dental Business Theatre will run on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 May 2026 as part of the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show at the NEC, Birmingham.

There’s never been a safer time to leave NHS dentistry. If you’re considering your options away from the NHS and are looking for a plan provider who will hold your hand through the process at a pace that’s right for you, you’re in safe hands with Practice Plan.

You can start the conversation today by calling 01691 684165 or booking your one-to-one NHS to private conversation at a date and time that suits you, just visit practiceplan.co.uk/nhsvirtual.

Attending Dentistry Show Birmingham on 15 to 16 May? Join Practice Plan on stand G50 for a glass of fizz and a chat that just might change your life!

This article is sponsored by Practice Plan.