Over the past year, colleagues and clinicians across mydentist have shown what it truly means to help the community smile.
Following the launch of its people values in 2024 – we respect each other, we grow together and we achieve as one – mydentist has seen a cultural shift across its practices, Support Centre and the Academy – its in-house training hub.
Through fundraising, volunteering, crisis response and day-to-day acts of support, teams across the mydentist network have demonstrated that values aren’t created by leaders or documents – they are lived by people. And this year, those people have made a remarkable difference.
Charity highlights from across the network
To celebrate a year defined by kindness and action, here are just some of the ways that teams across mydentist have given back this year.
Supporting the Motor Neurone Disease Association
Across Hampshire and the surrounding area, teams rallied around colleague Simon Wellen, who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease. To raise funds and awareness, practice manager Chris Cummings cycled 206 miles in 11 hours, visiting 14 mydentist practices and raising more than £2,000 for the MND Association. Colleagues also came together for a charity walk in London, driving further awareness and support.
Raising funds for Cancer Research UK
Colleagues from across the business contributed to fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK. At the mydentist Support Centre, executive personal assistant Kelly Winnard – who lost her mum to lung cancer – launched a clothing donation station that has already collected more than 200 bags. She is now expanding her support to include local food banks in Kearsley and Farnworth, helping families in crisis access essentials.
In Plymouth, the practice team at myorthodontist completed a 5K Race for Life, raising £1,437.50. Led by orthodontic therapist Jessica Harry, who took part in memory of her mum, the team joined more than a thousand other runners in an uplifting, emotional event.
In Bognor Regis, practice manager Katie Cook and her team completed a 10k charity run, raising more than £2,000. After receiving the all-clear following chemotherapy last year, Katie wanted to give back to the charity that supported her, and many of her colleagues felt a personal connection to the cause. The event has now become an annual commitment for the team.
Taking part in the Henry Schein and Give Kids A Smile challenge
The mydentist executive team, supported by commissioning, took part in the Henry Schein We Care Global Challenge, packing dental kits for Give Kids A Smile. Guided by Ingrid Perry MBE and Lynne Rhodes and supported by Henry Schein, they completed the challenge in just nine minutes – providing much needed support to children and families who struggle to access essential dental care. The team packed 300 toothbrushing packs in under 10 minutes, which were donated to various food banks and community-led organisations in areas of deprivation.
Donating toothbrushing packs to local food banks
As part of an ongoing oral health initiative, mydentist has donated more than 1,500 toothbrushing packs to food banks in Middlesbrough and Bolton. These donations help families access products they may otherwise go without, breaking down barriers to basic care and supporting community wellbeing.
Providing hurricane relief to those impacted by Hurricane Melissa
This year showed that mydentist colleagues extend their kindness beyond the UK. After Hurricane Melissa caused devastating damage in Jamaica, Shanique Chambers, practice manager at mydentist Nuthall Road, led a donation drive, with the support of both mydentist and Dental Directory (DD) Group. Working collaboratively, they arranged for essential hygiene supplies to be delivered to a local collection point for shipment overseas, offering practical help to communities in need.
Walking for Bolton Hospice
In November, the mydentist property team completed a five-mile sponsored walk from the Support Centre to Mecca Bingo, finishing the challenge with two games of bingo. All funds – including any winnings – were donated to Bolton Hospice. So far, the team has raised more than £11,000, with donations still coming in.
CEO to support local soup kitchen at Christmas
This commitment is reflected at every level. On Christmas Day, CEO Nilesh Pandya and his family will volunteer with Crisis UK at a local soup kitchen, supporting people experiencing homelessness and demonstrating the same values colleagues bring to life throughout the year.
Sharing his reflections on the achievements of his colleagues and clinicians across mydentist, Nilesh Pandya, chief executive officer of mydentist, commented: ‘Our people values aren’t posters on a wall; they’re the everyday actions of our colleagues. Their kindness sets the standard for all of us and motivated me. Watching what they’ve achieved this year has been extraordinary, and I’m excited to do my part this Christmas – and to see how we can collectively continue to lift communities across the UK in the 2026.’
And Nilesh is not the only person at mydentist inspired by the Crisis charity. Amanda Mason, practice manager at mydentist Formby, has also pledged to support people experiencing homelessness through the Crisis helpline – adding this charitable act to the several her practice team have already undertaken this year alone.
A year defined by action
‘It’s safe to say that what defined the past year at mydentist wasn’t a single campaign – it was action. Each colleague and clinician who raised funds, volunteered or supported someone else has helped strengthen the communities mydentist serves. Their commitment playing a fundamental part of our mission to help the nation smile’
Libby Jones
Chief people officer at mydentist
For more information about careers at mydentist, visit www.mydentist.co.uk/careers/dentist-jobs.
This article is sponsored by mydentist.
