Sir, the financial impact of the COVID lockdown would not have featured in even the most beautifully crafted business plan. The more that I read and hear of the problems which different practices are having, on their roads to recovery, there is one feature that stands out above all others: the bigger the practice, the bigger the problem.

The recent letter from the Chair of the BDA's Board ('The $10 billion question: what is dentistry worth?') tells us that some practices are able to see only 10% of their previous volume, a situation which is not financially sustainable. The economies of scale, which were such an asset of large practices, have turned into a burden from which they may not be able to recover. In contrast, single-handed practices have been able to benefit from the Small Business Rate Relief Scheme, including a £10,000 grant, and this has greatly helped them to get through this crisis.

This contrast in fortunes begs one question: is it time for the profession to reconsider its fondness for larger practices and to cherish anew, its rich heritage of small, family practices?