Mydentist, a leading UK provider of affordable dental care, has launched a new set of people values as it strives to become the best place to work and practise dentistry in the UK.
Mydentist has launched a new set of people values, based on feedback from colleagues across the organisation. This will be rolled out across its 530+ practices.
The new values are: ‘we respect each other’, ‘we grow together’ and ‘we achieve as one’. They have been brought to life through a new video which focuses on the people across Mydentist who helped develop the values and who live them every day.
Before setting out to create the new values, Mydentist conducted survey and focus group research with more than 3,500 participants. These included external suppliers, self-employed clinicians, employed clinicians, nurses, practice support and field teams, and colleagues at its support centre office.
The support of Mydentist’s network is vital to the long-term plans of the business. One of Mydentist’s core strategic pillars is to become the best place to work and practise in UK dentistry.
Nilesh Pandya, chief executive officer
‘Our purpose at Mydentist is helping the nation smile, and people and patients are at the heart of everything we do. We’ve developed our new values because we want to constantly remind ourselves of what we are like when we are at our best and how we can support and empower our teams and those who work with us to be able to deliver the very best patient care.’
Nilesh Pandya
Chief executive officer, Mydentist
Nilesh added: ‘We want the self-employed clinicians who choose to practise with us to be confident the practice team they work with will be demonstrating Mydentist’s values. Our new values mark an exciting chapter for Mydentist, in which we can continue to build the UK’s leading network of dental practices, shaping the way we deliver dentistry and creating opportunities for everyone.’
Growth projects
Today, Mydentist has completed more than 100 growth projects. These range from small expansions of existing practices to the merge and relocation of two or three practices into large single sites in convenient locations such as shopping centres, high streets and retail parks.
Over the next five years, Mydentist is investing a record £325m into growth. It is continuing to expand its clinical support network, improving its existing sites, building new practices, refreshing its scanners and IT infrastructure and re-platforming its systems. All with the aim of providing staff across the country with opportunities to develop in state-of-the-art, modern environments.
Stacey Frowen, area development manager
Stacey Frowen, area development manager, started her journey with Mydentist in 2013. She joined the business as a student dental nurse and receptionist in Talbot Green. Wanting to further her progression, Stacey was supported in becoming a dual-site practice manager. She then progressed to the position of area development manager. Stacey credits her progression to her curiosity in learning and developing her skillset, but also the support of her team.
Stacey added: ‘I worked closely with my area development manager at the time, Terry. I wanted to develop my skills and knowledge from a business perspective. Terry really supported and mentored me, which led to me being offered the role of area manager. None of my progression would’ve been possible without the support of Terry and the regional team.
‘I never thought I’d be able to achieve the things I have within my career. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support I’ve received through Mydentist. I’m excited to see where my journey continues to take me.’
Katie weeks, practice manager
Katie Weeks, practice manager in Tavistock, Cornwall, joined Mydentist at the age of 16 as a student dental nurse. After qualifying as a dental nurse, Katie was promoted to the position of head dental nurse. She moved through further roles as an implant dental nurse and head receptionist before being offered the role of practice manager.
Katie commented: ‘I wasn’t afraid to admit that I wasn’t the most confident person, but I really worked hard to grow in that area and express my willingness to progress within Mydentist. I was so thrilled and proud to accept my role as a practice manager. Then I was greatly supported by my mentor and Diane, my area manager, as I stepped into the role.’
Katie concluded: ‘I’m now a practice manager mentor and have recently transferred to a larger practice in Estover. I can honestly say I love going to work. I recently celebrated 11 years at Mydentist, and I look forward to continuing my career here.’
Pietro Capitelli, clinical resourcer
Practice teams are often supported in stepping into roles within the Mydentist support centre, too. Pietro Capitelli, clinical resourcer, started working for Mydentist as a trainee dental nurse back in 2009. Keen to learn, grow and develop his skillset, Pietro found a passion for recruitment.
Pietro commented: ‘I started as a shy 18-year-old with no idea what I wanted to do career-wise. Now, I’ve never been more certain. I’m about to become a dad for the first time and the confidence I’ve found through my role at Mydentist has made me feel ready to take this next step in my life.’
Pietro added: ‘The ethos has always remained the same to me. We have overcome COVID-19 together, merged and relocated practices together and united to become the market-leader in delivering dentistry. Members of my team are accepted for who they are. We embrace our differences and celebrate our similarities. Mydentist is one of the most inclusive employers you could want. I work with colleagues from every continent and religion and love how diverse it is. At Mydentist, I feel valued, trusted, respected and able to truly thrive and flourish.’
Libby Jones, chief people officer
Libby Jones, chief people officer at Mydentist, commented: ‘Our people and the self-employed clinicians who choose to practice at my dentist, are what makes us the UK’s leading provider of affordable dental care, with our practice teams being supported by our industry-leading support centre and the largest clinical leadership team in the country. We recognise that it is not only these values which will make a difference to our patients, but the spirit in which they are embraced by our colleagues – whether that’s our wonderful teams across our practices, field, or our support centre teams, who provide our practices with crucial support.’
Libby continued: ‘With the new values now in place, we will be continuing to work to embed them in everything we do – from our HR policies and performance management right across to career development frameworks for our employees.’
Libby concluded: ‘It’s been immensely encouraging to see how our teams across Mydentist have embraced our new people values so far, and I look forward to continuing to see us all work collaboratively together to achieve as one at Mydentist.’
For more information, visit www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/dentist-jobs/.
This article is sponsored by Mydentist.
