The Dental Health Centre
From Paper to Pearl - Diving into Digital Dentistry
Background
The Dental Health Centre, located on Kingstanding Road in Birmingham, is a large training-focused dental practice with seven active surgeries, two principals, and a team of 16. With over two decades of paper-based operations behind them, principal dentists Dr Manjit Dhindisa and Dr Ashok Takhar recognised in 2018 that a digital transformation was needed to streamline patient care and modernise the business.
After careful evaluation of available systems, they selected Pearl Dental Software as the platform that could offer not only operational efficiency, but also flexibility and intuitive functionality - all while fitting with their teaching ethos and practice setup.
The goal was clear: to transition smoothly from paper to digital while ensuring the software supported staff, patients, and the wider educational goals of the practice - without introducing complexity or unreasonable licensing fees.
Overview
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Client:
The Dental Health Centre
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Practice:
NHS/Mixed
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Date:
2025
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Location:
Ilford, Essex
Outcomes
Since implementing Pearl, The Dental Health Centre has seen significant operational benefits. The cloud-based structure allows for seamless access across the practice — from the surgeries to the boardroom — and even remotely. This flexibility was put to the test when Ashok travelled to New York and was able to check in with the practice and resolve issues directly from his PearlPad.
Pearl’s simple, per-surgery pricing model was another win for the practice. As a teaching centre, they needed access in multiple areas without being penalised by traditional per-user license fees. “We didn’t want to be charged for a full licence for every access point like some systems,” Ashok notes. “Pearl charges per-surgery, and that just makes sense.”
Beyond flexibility, efficiency gains have been immediate and measurable. Appointment scheduling is now faster and more ergonomic, enabling staff to book or amend appointments in a single patient interaction. The team has even reduced staffing needs on reception, freeing up resources for other tasks.
Pearl has also proven easy on the IT infrastructure. With low resource requirements, fast automatic updates, and secure off-site backups, the software fits neatly into the practice’s tech setup without burdening bandwidth or hardware.
Ashok highlights Pearl’s NHS claim handling and customer support as key features. From seamless digital form submission to troubleshooting rare issues with external systems, the Pearl team has consistently offered proactive support. “They treat clients like stakeholders,” he says, acknowledging the team’s responsiveness and openness to feedback.
By moving to Pearl, The Dental Health Centre has successfully transitioned to a digital-first practice that enhances both patient care and operational control — all while keeping flexibility, simplicity, and teaching at the core.