Dentist sinks his teeth into expansion plan

A WIRRAL dentist is hungry for growth and has ambitions of growing his chain of four dental practices to more than 10.

Dr Taylor Pope, who runs the business with his wife Roz, has invested £2.5m over the last three years acquiring practices in Cheshire and most recently, Newton Dental in Newton-le-Willows.

A fifth acquisition is in the pipeline, and plenty of similar opportunities to grow the business abound,  as dentists look to retire and don’t want to sell to big chains.

Roz Pope said: “Often these people have worked hard to build up their practices which have become part of the local community. They want to know that their dental surgeries are in safe hands and will have the same commitment to their patients.

“We buy practices that are well established in the community and have potential to expand. They practices are modernised and new treatments are introduced.

“However, we don’t rebrand the practices as we believe it is important that each keeps its own identity.”

The Popes bought their first practice, Woodchurch Dental Practice in 2012, followed by Smiles by Design in Chester in 2014 and recently completed the acquisition of Allen House Dental Practice in Crewe as well as Newton Dental.

The practices offer a mix of NHS and private dentistry and there are around 15,000 patients across the four sites.

While the couple, who also have seven children aged nine and under, are keen to expand, Roz says for the moment there are only looking at acquisitions in the region.

She says: “We believe it is important to be hands on and like to be able to visit the practices regularly and keep in close contact with staff.”

In addition to dental treatments, all of the practices offer a range of non-surgical facial treatments such as botox, fillers, teeth whitening and chemical peels, through the couple’s other business, Advanced Facial Aesthetics.

Manchester law firm Pannone Corporate is working with Dr and Mrs Pope on its buy and build strategy.

Its corporate team, led by partner Tom Hall, has advised on all of the acquisitions.

Hall said: “It is a pleasure to assist Dr Pope and his wife Roz with their ambitious acquisition strategy. Dr Pope is an eminent dentist and the pair are focused on creating dental practices that offer patients the best possible treatments and care.”

The Pannone Corporate team included Katie Ward, Richard James, Amy Seddon and Richard Cowan.