Dental market performs well so far in 2018

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has provided an overview of the UK dental market in the first half of 2018, reflecting on previous expectations, emerging trends and challenges facing the sector.

With an estimated 450 to 500 separate transactions annually and demand exceeding supply in most areas and market segments, there is no doubt that the landscape of the dental market is rapidly changing. The landscape at the top end of the market has changed significantly over the last 18 months with four of the largest corporate operators either sold or taken in significant private equity investment to fund future growth. Meanwhile, unbranded, entrepreneurial and cash rich multiple practice owners continue to expand, while keeping an eye on achieving an exit at some of the heady multiples which have recently been achieved. This ‘multiple arbitrage,’ the difference in entry and exit pricing, is partly what is fuelling demand across the industry and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.