Dental practice and owner win big at industry awards

A DENTAL practice in Benson has been named the best in the UK.

Imogen Dental Practice, in High Street, was honoured at the International Awards of Excellence and Euro Star Awards gala held in November.

It was held on the top floor of the Gherkin building in London and celebrated achievements in the dental, medical, pharmaceutical and hospitality industries.

Guests included John Garbutt, the High Sheriff of Greater London, Barbara Mills KC, barrister and chair of the Bar Council, and Lady Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice, Marchioness of Lansdowne and companion to Queen Camilla.

Dr Neel Tank, the clinical director of Imogen Dental Practice, was also named the UK’s best dentist at the awards gala.

He said: “This is the proudest moment of my professional career.

“Receiving these two prestigious UK accolades from the International Awards is a true honour for myself and my team. This is an evening we will always remember.”

Adele Marietti, the practice manager, submitted a nomination for the clinic and for Dr Tank earlier in the year.

The awards panel required evidence from the surgery and testimonials from patients and members of the Benson
community to help it select the winners.

The practice was founded in 2005 with almost 100 patients but is now serving about 4,000. It mainly serves the residents of Benson but it also has patients who travel from Derby and the Isle of Man to receive treatment.

Dr Tank said: “We had a couple that used to come from the South of France. They obviously don’t just come for me, they know that they’re going to come and visit people in Benson, but they will book their treatment for when they are here.”

Dr Tank qualified as a dentist in 1998 and completed an additional year of training afterwards before buying a practice in Didcot which he ran for five years. He then set up what was known as the Village Dental Practice in Benson.

In 2013, Dr Tank rebranded the practice as Imogen Dental, naming it after his daughter, now 14.

He said: “When they called my name [as the winner], I was almost lost for words. You’ve worked hard all your life to climb this mountain with a lot of hard work, sacrifice and dedication to your practice.

“To be recognised with an international award, I would never have guessed that I would have received anything like that.

“Words can’t describe how I felt, and how proud my family was. My wife, Laura, and my parents were there, and that’s what made it extra special, having family there to see that moment. It’s testament to the dedication and excellence the team has demonstrated over the years.

“We’ve got quite a special team. It’s like a family practice now, people have been with me for a very long time. Longevity, commitment, the loyalty is there.

“It’s lovely to just be nominated. Having lords, dames, MBEs who are there to give this prestigious award to a small, humble practice in Benson. It’s a little bit special.”

Imogen Dental is marking its 20th anniversary. Its mascot, Canine Croc, and other team members are going to be completing a skydive in May to celebrate the achievement.