Becoming a principal, now what?
Buying your first dental practice is a huge milestone in your career and your life. But while it brings opportunities, becoming the owner of your own business also brings challenges which you must ensure you are prepared for.
It is hugely important you are aware of what you are taking on before you decide to become a Principal and entrepreneur, and is essential you seek advice if in any doubt.
From the moment you begin to consider taking on your own practice, you need to be considering your position. Can you secure sufficient funding to purchase your own practice? Beware of the pitfalls of a ‘cheap’ practice. Thorough due diligence is crucial and something your lender will require assurance of.
Exiting your current practice also needs careful consideration – can you commit to handing in your notice before you exchange contracts? This may affect the timescale of the transaction if not planned properly. There is also the issue of the outgoing Principal, and whether to retain their services. Fraught negotiation of the Purchase Agreement, and the requisite associate agreement, might colour the relationship when running the practice post-completion.
You must also be au fait with your regulatory requirements and will need to make an early application to the CQC to become a ‘Registered Provider’. This will require an up to date DBS check which can take several months.
Through proper planning, securing a well-negotiated Purchase Agreement and carrying out thorough due diligence, you should be in a position to hit the ground running from day one and be able to start seeing and treating patients as soon as possible.
However, post completion, once you take ownership of your practice, the considerations are ongoing. A lot more of your time will be taken up with administration, which is something that is often underestimated. If you have targets (be they UDA or purely financial) you must ensure you are continuing to maintain the level and quality of treatment.
There are also the risks and requirements of being a business owner. Are policies of insurance up to date, are you aware of the key commercial contracts at your practice and their terms? Do you know your duties to your employees and associates and their entitlements under their contracts of employment? Furthermore, if you are a sole trader, you will have personal liability for business debts to your creditors. Financial planning is also crucially important, on both a business and personal level.
Regulation is another area of responsibility, and you must ensure you can maintain your practice and treatment to the requisite regulatory standard. You must have a set of policies in place should the LAT or CQC come calling.
What may seem like a minefield of considerations and obligations need not be if you enter into your journey to Principal with your eyes open, fully aware of what is to come. And should you ever be in doubt about any aspect, it is essential you seek specialist advice.
If you require any further information, one of our team of healthcare specialist lawyers would be pleased to talk through your requirements and answer any questions. Please contact us at any time.
