Neighbouring Ocean Drive Dental Practice and Vitaliteeth, both situated in Leith, Edinburgh, were purchased by Falkirk based BeDental in a £1.2m deal.
Now the successful relaunch of the twin practices is being hailed as a crucial milestone for the forward thinking group, as it sets its sights on doubling in size by 2020.
Atif Bashir, principal dentist and clinical director, said: “We’re excited to be growing and having not one, but two practices in Edinburgh is a huge step forward for us.
“But this isn’t about simply taking over existing practices and carrying on as before. We have transformed the technology, shaping the services offered and the patient experience around our company ethos – which is to be caring, honest and professional.
“At both Ocean Dental and Vitaliteeth we have overhauled the entire operation. Quite simply it is about putting the needs and wellbeing of patients at the heart of everything we do.”
As a progressive group, BeDental already owns highly respected practices in Falkirk as well as in Moodiesburn and Possilpark, Glasgow. Those are combined practices catering for both NHS patients while also offering hi-tech cosmetic dental treatments privately.
The acquisition of the neighbouring clinics in Edinburgh – which have 13,000 patients between them - continues the group’s focus on providing the best of both worlds. Ocean Drive provides NHS treatment, while Vitaliteeth is a purely private practice.
As part of its growth plans, BeDental – which now employs 70 people, aims to grow from its existing five practices to 10 by 2020 – and the successful Edinburgh launch will provide the template for that growth.
Investment in the Leith clinics has already exceeded £200,000, including the installation of state of the art servers which allow medical records, x-rays and other details to be seamlessly and securely shared across the group.
A host of other equipment upgrades have also been delivered, putting Vitaliteeth on track to become one of Scotland’s foremost cosmetic practices, offering soft tissue laser treatment, as well as injection and drill free procedures - including a state of the art Cerec system able to provide onsite ceramic crown fitting.
It also offers patients the chance to attend an anxiety clinic to put patients entirely at ease about treatments including implants, veneers, smile makeovers and adult teeth straightening.
By adopting ‘Denplan’ as preferred payment plan specialists, Vitaliteeth is seeking to make private dental care more affordable.
There have also been significant changes in the staff across both practices, which employ 21 people.
A significant hire for Vitaliteeth is acquiring the services of Lisbon based Diogo Viegas, one of Europe’s most renowned implantologists. He will work at the surgery two days per month.
Meanwhile, Mark Simpson, recently appointed head clinician across both surgeries, brings with him 24 years’ experience as a qualified dentist in Scotland and is highly regarded in his role as a consultant.
Una Moran, Relationship Manager and Patient Coordinator at Vitaliteeth, said: “We have taken a proactive approach to our work since starting operations.
“We have a goal that we are all committed to and that is to be regarded by our patients as the best practices in Scotland delivering the best service in a manner that is honest, caring and professional at all times.
“For instance we arranged informal one to one meetings with any individuals who had ongoing complaints prior to our takeover.
“We wanted to assure them that we were effectively wiping the slate, starting again with the patient at the heart of everything we do. The response has been incredibly positive.”
For more information visit http://www.vitaliteeth.co.uk/