It has grown to more than 8,000 employed and self-employed colleagues across the UK. All of them, whether with long or short careers, have contributed to Bupa's success in providing dental care for 25 years.
A few of the many individuals from across the UK who have been part of Bupa’s journey shared their thoughts with us.
Katrina Graden and Jennifer Haley
Katrina Graden and Jennifer Haley are two dental professionals who work at Bupa Dental Care Belfast practice.
Katrina has been a dental nurse at the practice for 26 years, having started straight after college at the age of 18. At that time, the practice was privately owned.
Jennifer is originally from Northern Ireland. She qualified and worked in Edinburgh for several years before returning to Belfast in 1999.
The two colleagues have formed a strong bond over the years, having supported each other in their personal and professional lives. They also value the relationships they have built with their patients, some of whom have been coming to the practice for 25 years.
They said, “Engaging with people day in day out, coworkers and patients alike, has had a major impact on our health and wellbeing over the years – we all support each other, and it makes a massive difference. The practice is a caring place where you can always find a friendly face and, of course, a smile.”
Tracy Robinson
Tracy Robinson has been working at the London Bank practice since 1998, starting as a dental nurse and later becoming a receptionist in 2008. Tracy has always been grateful for the support she received from Bupa. She shared, “Bupa has been a constant in my life for the past 25 years, and I’ve received a lot of support from the company over that time.”
During the pandemic, Tracy was able to work from home and manage the practice's online triaging services. She explained, “This was especially helpful because my young son was too young to stay home alone, and my elderly mother was unable to look after him. I’m so grateful for the flexibility I had during these challenging times.”
Tracy has also met many people along the way. She added, “Patients who have since retired and moved out of the city, as far as Bournemouth and Devon, still visit the Bank practice, which is a testament to the quality of care they receive here. It makes me really proud to work here.”
Clare Massey
In Warrington, Clare Massey is a lead nurse who has been working at Total Orthodontics, part of Bupa, for 26 years.
She owes her long service to dentist and former owner Mark, who inspired her to join the practice. Claire commented, “Mark is a specialist orthodontist, with an excellent reputation in the industry and in the North West. He has always empowered the team to thrive and really recognises the supporting role that we as nurses play in the practice and delivering patient care.”
Clare has witnessed many changes in dentistry over the years. She said, “We’ve gone digital and the range of treatments available to patients has expanded significantly. Twenty-five years ago, no one would have thought that a ‘moulded piece of plastic’ could move teeth, but now advancements like clear aligners are available that offer more options for straightening teeth.
“As a result, the practice now treats many more adults since people have become more aware of the benefits of braces for both oral health and cosmetic appeal. They also appreciate having a discreet option for straightening their teeth.”