The PortmanDentex Management Convention supplied a platform for empowering clinicians and colleagues to take themselves and their practices to the subsequent stage.
On 3 December 2024, over 500 clinicians and colleagues from throughout the PortmanDentex community gathered on the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham for the Shaping Our Future Management Convention. The day was a celebration of progress, values, and the unwavering dedication to take care of individuals, medical excellence and enterprise development. It was a time to mirror on the achievements of the previous yr, interact with each other, and sit up for the alternatives and challenges that lay earlier than the organisation and the dental sector as an entire.
At its core, the convention highlighted how PortmanDentex has efficiently balanced being a purpose-driven enterprise while delivering sturdy sustainable development. From inspiring keynote addresses from leaders inside the PortmanDentex group and visitor audio system, together with Baroness Sue Campbell, to interactive medical growth classes, the occasion underscored how the enterprise’s values – rooted in celebrating individuality, rising collectively and aiming larger – proceed to gas its enlargement whereas maintaining its individuals and sufferers on the coronary heart of the whole lot it does.
One group, one function
The convention opened with an deal with from Sam Waley-Cohen, group CEO and founding father of PortmanDentex. He mirrored on the merger that created PortmanDentex as a single unified organisation – a milestone that solidified the corporate’s shared function of enabling higher well being and happinessacross lifetimes.
‘One year on from the merger, it is clear that we are now one company, with a shared purpose and strong values,’ Sam said. The spirit of unity was palpable within the convention room, as colleagues from completely different components of the enterprise celebrated theircollective journey.
Regardless of the challenges that come naturally with means of merging two companies, Sam shared how the enterprise efficiently grew by 9% final yr. This has allowed PortmanDentex to reinvest in its individuals by coaching and development alternatives for colleagues and clinicians, pay rises and bonuses for colleagues, in addition to additional investments in medical excellence and affected person care. For Sam, the message was clear: ‘The goal is to lead change, aim higher, and be the best dental group in the world.’
This was the rallying cry for the day, emphasising that success is measured not simply by monetary metrics, however by the optimistic impression the organisation has on its individuals and the standard of care it offers to sufferers.
2024 enterprise achievements
General enterprise development of 9%
2.3m smiles sorted and a pair of.5m appointments carried out
The group achieved an all-time excessive NPS of 85 with 127,000 sufferers sharing their expertise.
55 instructional classes as a part of the PortmanDentex Clear Aligner Programme
Over 44 trade awards nominations throughout our clinicians, colleagues and practices
Each single observe has been visited by the security and high quality and operations groups.
Main from inside
A spotlight of the convention was the deal with by Rebecca Sadler, newly appointed chief medical officer and practising dentist, who has been with PortmanDentex since its early days. Rebecca’s observe was the very first to be acquired by Portman Dental Care 16 years in the past. Her observe’s development from a single location to a thriving 14-surgery enterprise is highly effective proof of the corporate’s dedication to medical excellence.
Rebecca’s long-standing journey with the organisation displays not solely her private development but additionally the corporate’s dedication to empowering its clinicians. Rebecca’s story is a testomony to the alternatives PortmanDentex offers for development and management and her function is a reminder of how the corporate nurtures long-term expertise and permits medical leaders to tackle pivotal roles in shaping the way forward for dental care. It additionally displays the corporate’s deep understanding of the worth of medical management in driving the enterprise ahead.
Louise Oates, the newly appointed chief working officer, shared her inspiring profession journey, having began as a dental nurse and rising to one of many highest management positions within the firm. Her story was a strong reminder of how private drive and keenness, coupled with a tradition of assist and growth reminiscent of that inside PortmanDentex, permits individuals to succeed in their full potential.
Her phrases underscored the corporate’s dedication to its core worth of ‘growing together’ and fostering a supportive atmosphere the place each colleague is inspired to take possession of their profession growth.
The theme of empowerment resonated all through the day, exemplified by these two outstanding girls who’ve carved profitable careers in dentistry by their very own drive and willpower, which was inspirational to all in attendance.
A imaginative and prescient for the long run
One other key message from the convention got here from Owen James, managing director UK and Eire. Owen spoke of the challenges and alternatives that lie forward in an ever-changing world – one that’s unstable, unsure, complicated, and ambiguous. Within the face of those challenges, Owen emphasised the significance of adaptability, highlighting that PortmanDentex’s means to evolve and assist its clinicians and colleagues will probably be essential to its continued success.
‘It’s not about change for change’s sake,’ Owen said. ‘We need to continue to evolve to counter external factors and capture new opportunities and fulfil the potential that we know we have as a business. The focus will remain on supporting our clinicians and colleagues by investing in new systems and processes, best-in-class technology, our practice estate, and importantly, our people – through their pay, development, and training.’
It’s clear to see that sufferers and care are very a lot on the coronary heart of the enterprise. Owen defined: ‘The business growth that we’ve seen and that we need to proceed to construct on then interprets into finally the 1000’s of transformative experiences that we ship for our sufferers week in, week out. That’s actually thrilling and actually what we’re all right here to do.’
Owen additionally highlighted that PortmanDentex is at an ‘inflection point’ following the merger: ‘We’re one group, one enterprise, one model and we’re in a spot the place we are able to construct on that basis and take it ahead.’
‘Twelve months from now,’ Owen stated, ‘I want to see continued growth, deeper engagement with our clinicians, and greater progression within our practices and support teams.’
Key investments
Funding in best-in-class options throughout all areas of the enterprise – Oracle (individuals and finance), FollowApp (affected person expertise), Radar (medical compliance), SmartRecruiters (expertise recruitment)
Three variety, equality and inclusion communities constructed – Pleasure, Menopause and Psychological Well being Champions, with extra to come back, the subsequent being Neurodiversity
A brand new central service platform has been rolled out (FreshService) which permits for steady enchancment of service supply to practices (CSAT).
A assorted programme
The day additionally provided networking alternatives with colleagues in addition to suppliers within the exhibition corridor, inspiring medical classes and interactive observe supervisor classes.
Delegates have been handled to a rousing keynote speech from Baroness Sue Campbell who shared insights from her expertise as chairman of UK Sport and director of girls’s soccer with the Soccer Affiliation the place she performed a pivotal function with the success of the Lionesses.
The afternoon noticed an insightful wellbeing and psychological resilience speak with Dr Mahrukh Khwaja who mentioned varied steps that may be carried out in dental practices to nurture a tradition that permits staff to flourish.
A purpose-led future
Management Convention was not simply an occasion to have fun previous success but additionally to set the tone for the long run.
Because the day drew to a detailed, friends have been excited to attend the gala dinner and awards ceremony, an inspiring night that recognised the unbelievable expertise inside the PortmanDentex group. By the insights shared on the day, and the implausible environment within the room, it grew to become evident that PortmanDentex is concentrated on sustainable development that aligns with its core values of medical excellence, take care of individuals, and funding sooner or later.
Watch the complete video of the occasion right here.
Excited to hitch the journey? For careers: recruitment@portmandentex.com, medical alternatives: clinicalevents@portmandentex.com or in the event you’re fascinated about promoting your observe: acquisitions@portmandentex.com. Go to portmandentex.com for extra.
This text is sponsored by PortmanDentex.