There are many reasons why a dental practice may need to end a contract with one of their suppliers of goods and services. It may be you have found a cheaper or better alternative, or your current supplier is not meeting your needs. What is important is that you can cancel this contract easily, quickly and in the most cost-effective manner. How you can achieve this very much depends on the type of contract you have entered into and the cancellation terms you have agreed.
Most suppliers will provide their goods or services under written contracts. One form of written contract that the BDA often encounters when providing advice is the 'standard form' contract. This is a pre-prepared contract where most of the terms are set out with blank spaces for adding names, signatures and dates etc. Although it is possible to negotiate the terms of a standard form contract prior to signing it, the BDA finds that many practice owners have not done so. Whilst these types of contracts may provide a better financial incentive at the outset, the cancellation terms are often quite restrictive. There isn't much, if any, flexibility to negotiate better terms or end the contract without paying penalties to the supplier. Standard form or any other written contracts which are likely to make cancellation difficult are those which are for a fixed term, roll-over or are ongoing contracts and which contain restrictive cancellation notices.
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