A new business set up in Caithness and Sutherland by a Thurso entrepreneur is expanding quickly to fill a gap in the professional services sector for Dental Surgeons.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting The Dental Plan Ltd (TDP), set up by registered dentists Dr John Barry with his colleague Dr Kenny Barr, with a £45,980 grant to allow it to increase its workforce at its business park base just outside of Thurso.
"We have done the initial work to test the market and we are confident the time is right to move to the next level. We are delighted that HIE has been able to support our efforts to employ more staff," said Dr Barry.
He added that the directors had chosen to set up the business in the north Highlands due to the excellent skill base available. He said:
"I am staggered by the quality of available skilled people in Caithness and am delighted with the initial core team of five staff so far. We aim to grow to a staff of 20 within a short space of time and we intend to be a market leader nationally in supplying quality services to dental professionals. The north Highlands is a great working environment and we can deal with dental practices anywhere in the UK or even overseas from our base in Thurso with little difficulty."
The business works directly with dental practices helping them to run their businesses in a more professional and efficient manner.
"Dentists are usually trained to the highest standards clinically but have limited business or administration expertise and this is where The Dental Plan fills a niche role. TDP advises on best practice and implements systems including providing administration for practice membership plans and associated insurance for patients. It also helps the practices to comply with a raft of legislative burdens including health and safety issues, and employment law," said Dr Barry.
The company has already started training dental teams at its base in Thurso having held two training days so far where it can grant Continuing Professional Development points to its participating practices. This training role is also set to grow and this is attracting people from all over the UK to the North with all the positive "educational tourism" benefits.
HIE is looking forward to an ongoing working relationship with TDP. Keith Muir of HIE commented:
"The market for private dental membership plans and associated insurance is huge and the practical knowledge of the directors at TDP puts them in an excellent position to tap into the opportunities available. The company is working in the national market with clients from the South of England to the Orkney Islands. HIE is pleased to be able to assist the company to see it employ the staff it needs to allow it to grow."