Written by Lee Trett Reviewed by John Tarazi
10 April 2025
Updated all call to action copy
19 December 2024
Amended rates section and removed outdated information
23 August 2024
Rewrote article in line with latest lending conditions and criteria
20 April 2020
First Published
As a dentist you’ll most likely be treated as a professional mortgage applicant, meaning lenders should offer exclusive benefits. However, as dentists sometimes have complex income from a variety of sources, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a broker specialising in mortgages for dentists to ensure that you maximise the benefits available to you.
Do dentists get better mortgage deals?
Given that dentistry is a respected profession that is known to be stable and well-paid, many mortgage lenders will see most applicants working in this industry as lower risk. This can mean your options are broader and more attractive than non-professional applicants’.
What kind of perks are available?
If you are applying for a mortgage as a dentist, benefits you might be entitled to include:
- You may be offered a higher LTV (loan to value), meaning you can buy with a smaller deposit of around 5%
- You may be able to borrow a higher income multiple than the standard 4.5 times your income. This may even apply early on in your career as lenders will be aware of your increasing income potential
- You may have access to more favourable interest rates
- If you’re self-employed, it’s possible that lenders will be more lenient with their terms than they are with the average applicant, so long as you can show ongoing contracts
- Dental students or post-graduates with a job lined up may be able to secure a mortgage before they start their first position
Eligibility criteria
The criteria is largely similar as for other applicants, however, there may be additional considerations for self-employed dentists, depending on how their income is structured.
Lenders will look at:
- Your deposit - while you may be able to secure a mortgage with a smaller deposit as a professional applicant, it’s a good idea to offer as much as you can afford, as this will reduce the interest rates available to you
- Your income amount and type - as well as if you have multiple income sources from both NHS and private work - each income type will be looked at differently, so those with a more complex source of income may need to opt for a specialist lender
- Your credit history - those with a strong credit history will typically secure the best rates
- The property type - particularly if you’re planning to run a dental practice from home. In this case you will need a semi-commercial mortgage, rather than a standard residential mortgage
How to get an exclusive deal
The best way to secure the best deal on a dentist mortgage is by speaking to a broker that specialises in providing mortgage advice to professionals in this field, like ourselves.
We have access to lenders who offer maximum benefits to applicants in your chosen career. No matter your employment type, we can match you with a lender that has criteria most suited to your needs, and potentially provide broke-exclusive deals.
Book your initial consultation for free below:
Speak to an expert on professional mortgages at Money Helpdesk
Lenders and rates available
Professional mortgages are offered by certain high street lenders, such as Clydesdale and Co-op banks, but they are more commonly available from building societies and specialist lenders.
The rates available are typically more favourable on professional mortgages, however, there are other factors that will impact this, such as your LTV, employment type, career stage, and credit score.
Mortgages for self-employed dentists
Self-employed mortgages can be more difficult to secure, but dentists and other professionals will generally experience more leniency than non-professional borrowers. For example, it may be possible to secure a mortgage as a newly-qualified associate dentist, particularly if you’re able to provide a reference from a colleague within the partnership.
High street lenders may require two to three years of accounts as proof of income from self-employed dentists, however, it’s possible to secure a mortgage with some of the more niche lenders with as little as 12 months of income.
Why choose Money Helpdesk for your professional mortgage?
Here at Money Helpdesk we'll compare the latest rates for professional mortgages from 90+ UK lenders and provide support at every step in securing your professional mortgage.
Choosing Money Helpdesk for your mortgage needs means:
- Free initial no-obligation consultation
- Specialist professional mortgage advice and broker-exclusive deals
- 5-star rated service
Ready to take advantage of a free, no-obligation chat with a broker who specialises in mortgages for dentists? Get started here.
FAQs
Yes, in fact, if you’re buying a property purely to use as a dental practice then you’ll need to use a commercial mortgage product. You may also, as many dentists do, offer dental services from your own home. If you plan to add a dental surgery facility to your residential home, you’ll need a semi-commercial mortgage.
We can help you to secure the best rates, no matter what type of dental mortgage product you need.
Dental nurses won’t usually qualify for a professional mortgage, however, they will likely be classed as key workers by most lenders. Key worker roles are typically seen as reliable careers, which means they may find it easier to secure a mortgage than similarly salaried workers in riskier professions.
Key workers are also favoured for certain home buyer schemes, such as the First Homes Scheme, which provides properties to qualifying applicants at a discount on the local average property price.
While dentists qualify for professional mortgage benefits, giving them access to preferential rates and terms with some lenders, there are no dentist specific schemes. However, they can apply for the same schemes that are open to other applicants, such as shared ownership, rent to buy and deposit unlock.
NHS dentists may qualify as key workers by some lenders, which can help with applications to certain government schemes. However, this type of scheme won’t be suitable for those looking to purchase a practice or use their home as a surgery.