Dental merger escapes Competition Commission referral by selling practices

The OFT has accepted undertakings proposed by The Carlyle Group and Palamon Capital Partners LP for their joint acquisition of Integrated Dental Holdings Limited and Associated Dental Practices. The undertakings were accepted in lieu of a referral to the Competition Commission.

Eleven dental practices providing NHS dental services will be sold to upfront buyers. The OFT required upfront buyers because “there was some uncertainty over the likely number of potential suitable buyers.” The practices are located in areas where the OFT has identified local competition concerns, namely Taunton, North Petherton, Barnstaple, Yeovil, Chard, Aldershot, Ramsgate, Sandwich, Amesbury and Tidworth.

The Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) for Ramsgate, Sandwich, Amesbury and Tidworth will re-tender their patient contracts via an open tender process. For the other divested practices, PCTs have approved assignment of contracts to new buyers.

Full content: OFT Press Release

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