Transition from NHS to private practice

This article describes the process of change in a specialist orthodontic practice from NHS to private, the development of a business plan and its subsequent implementation. The very nature of change is variability and the unique personality of an orthodontic practitioner and the make-up of the regional orthodontic environment mean that this article cannot provide a definitive guide to change. However, the general principles are applicable to changes in most circumstances and are illustrated with reference to the author's own practice.