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Can you save by switching finance?
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It is also important that you check whether there are any tie-ins or exit fees w i t h y o u r c u r r e n t l e n d e r, f o r e x a m p l e t h o s e with fixed rates.
he interest rates that are currently being offered for new finance are very competitive, and often significantly cheaper than rates that were on offer 5 or more years ago. These lower rates are not just applicable for new practice purchases. For those with existing finance, there is no reason why you cannot take advantage of the lower rates currently on offer by switching lenders. As specialist dental brokers, this is something that we are reviewing for clients on a regular basis.
What should you do?
If you are interested in seeing whether you can benefit from more attractive finance rates, a specialist dental finance broker such as PFM Dental can review your current position, finance amount and terms to see whether these can be improved upon. Many clients may also wish to arrange further borrowing for renovation or expansion costs which can also be considered. If you have a rate over 2% plus base rate, we would certainly recommend a discussion. n
What are the current rates?
Whilst each client’s rates are likely to be specific to their practice and personal needs, an example of some rates that we have achieved are: Goodwill Rates – Some rates that have been achieved over the last few months are as low as 1.42% plus base for a partially amortising loan, where the lending is committed to a shorter period, such as five years. At the end of the term, new finance would then be arranged. Where someone wishes to have a fully committed loan, rates can be as low as 1.75% plus base. For those that have not come across partially amortising loans, this could be worth exploring where the borrowing amount is high. Even on the above rates, this would be a difference of 0.33% and with borrowing of £1,000,000, could equate to £3,300 saving on interest per annum. Property Rates – Assuming a 10-year loan term, fully committed rates can be around 1.68% plus base. Where a loan has been in place for some time, it may also be possible to rejig the finance so that more finance is on the practice premises (secured lending) opposed to the goodwill
(unsecured lending) to benefit further from the lower rates currently on offer.
Other advantages
If, when you originally borrowed, the bank had a charge over your residential property, it is likely that this could now be removed. Personal guarantees where people have limited companies may also be reduced or removed, as part of the new financing.
What costs are applicable?
Some banks are now offering 0% arrangement fee for people switching and for new deals. Typically, where transferring to another bank, they may require a new bank valuation of the practice (estimated at around £2,500 plus VAT). There could also be some legal work involved in transferring the lending and required security (estimated in the region of £2,500 plus VAT but will vary on specifics).
About the author Martyn Bradshaw is a Director of PFM Dental and heads up the dental practice sales agency.
Donations: The unseen backbone of children’s dental charity work
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fter more than 15 years of helping children who have little to no access to dental care, one thing has become very clear: goodwill alone can’t cure a toothache. Dental Mavericks began its journey in Morocco in 2010 and has since grown into a well-established children’s dental charity built on trust, collaboration, and an incredible community of kind-hearted people who make the work possible. From schools and Moroccan authorities to local associations, translators, drivers, chemists, and the hospitality sector, the welcome we receive has always been warm, generous, and more delicious food than any volunteer thought possible! We work across three locations in Morocco and are deeply committed to the communities we serve. The relationships we’ve built are truly human and grounded in shared goals, mutual respect, and a determination to free children from daily dental pain. B u t h e re ’s t h e p a r t o f o u r s t o r y t h a t d o e s n ’t a l w a y s m a k e i t i n t o the fabulous photos or social media posts. We are, and always have been, a grassroots charity.
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When sponsorship disappears, the need remains
Before Covid, Dental Mavericks was fortunate to have the support of several large sponsors. These partnerships meant that essentials such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other basics that every child receives didn’t need to be purchased for each trip. This allowed us to focus our funds where they were needed most and helped ensure consistency in the care we provided. When the pandemic arrived, like so many other charities, those sponsorships disappeared almost overnight. The children, however, and their needs did not. Dental pain is just as debilitating whether or not a charity has a sponsor in place.
Treating 1,000 children doesn’t fit in a suitcase
On any given trip, Dental Mavericks treats between 500 and 1,000 children in a single week. Providing care at that scale takes far more than enthusiasm and clinical skill. It requires: • Gloves • Local anaesthetic (topical and injectable) • Needles • Fluoride • SDF • GIC • Medicines
• Infection control materials • Educational resources
And much, much more. We are incredibly grateful for the generous individuals and companies who donate medicines, materials, toys, stickers, and even autoclaves. These donations make a real difference. However, they are often one-off contributions, limited by what can be carried in luggage or by kind clinics thinking of us when they upgrade their equipment. While we truly appreciate this generosity, it isn’t a supply chain. The reality is that all supplies must be purchased and transported regularly, and at present, we manage this entirely on our own.
Expansion brings opportunity and responsibility
Alongside our continued work in Morocco, we have recently expanded into Peru and Ethiopia, with plans to reach further across South America and explore future projects in India. We are also looking to expand our presence within Morocco itself. Growth is exciting, but it also brings responsibility. More locations mean more children, more equipment, more materials, and complicated logistics.
Why this matters
The dental and medical industries are obviously our best allies to help. The products we rely on are everyday items in clinical practice, but in underserved communities, they are life changing. Supporting charities like Dental Mavericks isn’t about one-off gestures, it’s about building lasting partnerships and helping children so that they don’t have to live with pain simply because of where they were born. It’s also about being part of something that has been proven to work.
Looking into 2026
Our goal for this year is simple: to secure sustainable support for essential supplies, allowing us to continue relieving children from dental pain, not just in Morocco, but worldwide. With the right partnerships, the momentum we’ve built won’t just continue, it will grow. Because every child deserves relief from daily dental pain. And no charity should have to rely on just spare suitcase space to make that happen. n
About the author Samanta Espinosa, Project Coordinator, Dental Mavericks.
The Probe | April 26
01/04/2026 10:58:03