Charlotte Low explores the benefits of working within a dental group and why, despite its scale, Colosseum Dental’s people culture continues to feel like a close-knit community.
In today’s evolving dental landscape, more professionals are choosing to work within dental groups rather than independent practices. The reasons are varied and compelling. From enhanced support structures to access to cutting-edge resources, the group model offers a wealth of advantages that can elevate both patient care and professional satisfaction.
The power of scale
‘Working within a dental group brings with it a level of infrastructure and support that’s hard to replicate in smaller, independent practices,’ Charlotte explains. ‘For example, our buying power allows us to negotiate better rates with suppliers and labs, which means our practices benefit from high-quality materials and equipment at more competitive prices.’
This commercial strength translates into robust relationships with suppliers and partners, ensuring consistency, reliability and innovation across the network. But the advantages go far beyond procurement and buying power.
‘Groups like ours offer access to centralised support services; highly skilled teams and subject matter specialists in finance, HR, clinical quality management, marketing, recruitment, legal, CPD support and ongoing learning and development. These functions operate behind the scenes to ensure our practice teams can focus on what they do best: delivering exceptional patient care.’
From dentolegal support to compliance guidance, the operational backbone of a dental group provides peace of mind and professional security.
Big company perks for smaller teams
Charlotte highlights another key benefit: ‘Because of our size, we’re able to negotiate company-wide perks and benefits that make a genuine difference to people’s lives. These include wellbeing programmes, mental health support, insurance cover for critically ill health, access to training courses at excellent reduced prices and discounts with partners across a wide range of services, to name just a few.’
And with a network that spans 11 countries across Europe, Colosseum Dental offers its teams access to a vast community of colleagues; a rich source of shared knowledge, mentorship and collaboration.
Investing in innovation
Another area where dental groups are leading the way is in technology and innovation.
‘At Colosseum Dental, we’re investing heavily in modernising our practices. Not just in terms of equipment, but across the entire patient journey,’ Charlotte shares. ‘From advanced diagnostic tools to digital workflows and patient communication platforms, we’re focused on delivering the best possible care in the most efficient, patient-friendly way.’
These innovations are designed to enhance clinical outcomes, streamline operations, and improve the overall patient experience. This results in happier patients and more empowered teams.
‘Technology is a huge enabler,’ Charlotte adds. ‘It allows our clinicians to work smarter, not harder – and ensures our practices remain at the forefront of modern dentistry.’
But… it’s not just about scale
Despite the clear advantages of working within a large organisation, Charlotte is quick to point out what makes Colosseum Dental unique.
‘I feel what sets us apart is our ability to strike a balance. Yes, we’re a large pan-European group, but we’ve worked incredibly hard to maintain a sense of closeness and community. There’s a real “small business spirit” within our practices. A family feel that’s deeply rooted in our culture.’
This is no accident. Colosseum Dental fosters local ownership at practice level, encouraging autonomy and entrepreneurial thinking. ‘We treat every clinic as a business in its own right,’ Charlotte says. ‘But we also provide a safety net. A support network that ensures our teams benefit from the strength of the group while retaining their independence.’
Culture that connects
The company invests heavily in its people culture. ‘We hold regular events to bring our teams together. It’s not uncommon for colleagues from across the UK to strike-up friendships despite their locations. There’s a genuine sense of connection across the business.’
This culture is built on trust, transparency, collaboration and aligned values. And it’s not just lip service.
‘We partner with Great Place to Work, issuing an annual feedback survey to all colleagues. It covers everything from diversity and wellbeing to learning and development. The insights we gain are invaluable. They guide our strategic decisions and help us continuously improve.’
The results speak for themselves. Colosseum Dental is not only a certified Great Place to Work, but also listed among the UK’s Best Workplaces in Healthcare, for Wellbeing, for Development, for Women and as an overall Best UK Workplace for its size.
Operational excellence meets human connection
From an operational standpoint, Charlotte sees part of her role as a guardian of culture. ‘It’s essential that I nurture and protect our workplace culture. I work closely with our senior leadership team to ensure it’s embedded throughout the business. And I support our practice teams in understanding how to live it day-to-day.’
This includes coaching, mentoring and tracking cultural engagement across all levels of the organisation.
‘Ultimately, we’re a people-powered business. Our success comes from listening to our teams, acting on their feedback and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported.’
A model for the future
As the dental profession continues to evolve, the group model offers a compelling proposition: the strength and stability of a large organisation, combined with the intimacy and autonomy of a local practice.
Charlotte sums it up best:
‘We give our teams the power and strength of a big business, without losing the personality and heart of a small one. It’s a rare balance and we’re really proud of it.’
If you’re interested in finding out more about a career at Colosseum Dental, or if you’d just like a impartial chat about how working for a dental group could work for you. Send an email to [email protected]. Or head to Colosseum Dental’s website to view current vacancies: www.colosseumdental.co.uk/careers.
This article is sponsored by Colosseum Dental.
