Practice Plan Regional Support Manager, Sarah Barnard, suggests how a popular TV show highlights the dilemma of many NHS dentists.
The hit TV show The Traitors has captivated audiences with its themes of trust, deception, and survival. Watching contestants wrestle with the pressure to act against their instincts might feel familiar if you’re an NHS dentist. Many clinicians face a similar internal conflict every day: staying loyal to a system that no longer serves them versus making a change that could transform their career and wellbeing.
The reality behind the NHS contract
Like at the Traitors’ round table, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself some difficult questions. Honestly, are you able to give patients the time and attention they deserve? Or do the constraints of the NHS contract push you to rush through appointments, prioritising targets over care? For many, the fear of clawback looms large. Missing contract delivery can feel catastrophic and a genuine threat to the viability of your business. Sadly, that anxiety can drive decisions that compromise both professional satisfaction and personal wellbeing.
Meanwhile, the landscape is shifting. More associates are moving into private practice, leaving contract holders unable to recruit replacements scrambling to meet NHS obligations. Yet, despite mounting pressures, countless dentists remain tied to the system out of habit, loyalty, or fear of the unknown.
Faithful to the system, but a traitor to yourself?
It’s easy to cling to what feels safe such as your team, your identity, or the routine you’ve built over years. But when long hours, relentless demand, and dwindling autonomy start eroding your happiness, that loyalty comes at quite a cost. You may tell yourself, “Things will improve eventually,” even as burnout creeps in. You might even feel guilty for wanting more flexibility or believing that private practice could offer a better life.
However, the truth is prioritising your own wellbeing isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. How can you care for others if you’re burnt out and exhausted? That’s the reason why cabin crew during the safety demonstration always tell you to put on your own oxygen mask first. Choosing a career path that gives you freedom and balance isn’t betrayal, it’s empowerment.
Why change could be the best decision you make
In The Traitors, survival depends on trusting your instincts. The same applies to your career. If the NHS model leaves you drained and dissatisfied, perhaps it’s time to redefine what being “faithful” really means. Instead of staying loyal to a system that’s struggling, consider being loyal to yourself, your goals, your health, your patients and your happiness.
Private practice offers many benefits that go beyond financial gain. Greater autonomy, improved work-life balance, and the ability to deliver patient care without constant time pressure can reignite your passion for dentistry. I’ve seen it time and again, dentists whose morale was at rock bottom begin to look forward to coming to work again. It’s about creating a career that works for you, not against you.
Making the change without fear
Change can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right support, transitioning from NHS to private practice can be smooth and sustainable. At Practice Plan, we’ve been helping dental teams make this move for three decades, guiding them through every step at a pace that feels comfortable for them.
So, as you look ahead to the rest of the year, ask yourself: are you staying “faithful” to a system that drains you, or will you choose to be faithful to your own happiness? Making that choice doesn’t make you a traitor, it makes you someone who’s followed their instincts and been faithful to their own wellbeing.
