The sale value of the average dental practice has dropped from 98% of turnover in the quarter ending April 2011 to 90% of turnover in the most recent quarter ending 31 July 2011 – according to figures collected by the National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants & Lawyers (NASDAL).

The goodwill survey conducted by NASDAL reflects a significant number of dental practice sales in any quarter.

'Some very high value deals for large NHS practices are being done with the large chains which has an upward effect on the average,' said Alan Suggett, a partner in unw LLP in Newcastle who carries out the survey. 'However, the market is far less predictable now than historically.'

Ray Goodman, Chairman of the NASDAL Lawyers Group, said that it was too early to tell whether the slight softening in goodwill values was a trend or another fluctuation: 'Goodwill appeared quite settled at 100% but now the figures are lower and there seems to be more uncertainty.'