You’re a Dentist. You Earn Well. So Why Is Getting a Mortgage So Hard?

If you’ve tried to get a mortgage, you may have already run into problems. Maybe a bank has told you that you don’t earn enough, despite making a strong income. Or perhaps they’ve said you can’t borrow as much as you expected. Some lenders may have even turned you down completely, making the process more frustrating than it should be.

The Problem Isn’t You – It’s How Lenders See Your Income.

Many banks and mortgage lenders don’t understand how dentists are paid. If your income comes from a mix of NHS contracts, private work, and locum shifts, they may see it as inconsistent—even if you know your earnings are reliable. If you own or are buying into a practice, lenders might treat your business loans as personal debt, making it harder to borrow what you need.

On top of that, many dentists structure their income in a tax-efficient way, paying themselves a mix of salary and dividends or making large pension contributions. But because banks often focus only on your salary, this can make it look like you earn far less than you actually do.

Even student loans can be an issue. Some lenders treat them like any other debt, reducing the amount they’re willing to lend, even though repayments are tied to your earnings and don’t affect your financial stability.

If you’ve come across any of these issues, you might be tempted to keep trying different lenders until you find one that says “yes”, but that approach can waste your time and hurt your credit score, making it even harder to get a mortgage.

The Right Lender Can Make All the Difference.

At Wallace Home Finance, we specialise in helping dentists get approved for mortgages – without the hassle. We work with lenders who understand how dentists earn and assess income properly. They’ll look at your total income, not just your basic salary, often meaning you can borrow more.

Because we know which lenders take a more flexible approach, we can help you secure a mortgage that reflects your real income, including contract earnings, business profits, and potentially your future earning potential. If you have business loans, we can match you with lenders who won’t treat them as personal debt. And if student loans are reducing the amount you can borrow, we can find lenders who take a more realistic approach and don’t factor them into affordability allowing you to get a larger mortgage.

Find Out How Much You Can Borrow Today.

To see which mortgages you qualify for, fill in our quick online enquiry form. One of our specialist advisers will give you a call, explain your options, and match you with a lender that’s right for you.