Expanding Scottish Dental Care Group sinks teeth into two new practices
A Scottish dental group is to swallow t wo practices as it continues on the acquisition trail despite coronavirus disruption.
Scottish Dental Care Group has acquired a new practice in the Central Belt during lockdown, with a further one said to be in the final stages of completion. Its practices are currently located across Glasgow, Dumfries, Oban, Inverness, Bishopton and Cardonald.
The business sought support from Bank of Scotland to fund the new acquisitions as part of its wider growth plans to purchase a new practice each quarter throughout 2020 and 2021.
T h e g r o u p , wh i c h h a s secured a £ 1.75 million funding package from the bank, also has existing funding in place should further changes be needed to ensure the practices comply with future government guidance in relation to Covid- 19.
Philip Friel, clinical director, said: “We’ve been very specific in terms of our group structure and ambitions for growth. While no one foresaw the current global pandemic, that same robust structure and management regime stands us in good stead to progress with our growth plans across the country.
Fellow director and brother Christopher Friel added: “Last year we focused on consolidating our existing practices and processes, as well as refinancing the group with Bank of Scotland which meant that when Covid- 19 hit, we were in a strong position. We use a single supplier for all of the practices, from using the same el ectricit y provider t o t he same manufacturer of clinical materials, meaning that once we’ve acquired a new site, the logistics of bringing that practice into the group are ver y straightforward.”
The new NHS and private practices will add around 20,000 patients to the group.