If you work at Denplan you have plenty to smile about. The UK’s largest provider of dental payment plans pays as much care to the wellbeing of its 312 workers as it does to the protection of its clients’ teeth.

The results are clear to see. Workers are happy, well motivated and pretty stress-free. Staff give the Winchester-based firm an 86% positive score for work not affecting their health and say they have fun with their colleagues (87%).

Denplan was set up in 1986 by two dentists frustrated by the bureaucratic nature of the NHS. They wanted to spend more time with their patients and less time on paperwork. Today the firm, now a subsidiary of insurance giant AXA, has an 87% share of the dental insurance market and last year returned pretax profits of £10m.

One of the keys to success is strong leadership, for which Denplan wins one of our special awards. Workers have a great deal of faith in managing director Steve Gates (93%), think he runs the organisation on sound moral principles (89%) and are inspired by him (91%). His senior managers also get a vote of confidence from staff for their leadership (89%) and for listening to people (80%), all scores for which Denplan ranks first or second among all 100 best companies.

Denplan places a strong emphasis on a good work/life balance through initiatives such as its health and wellbeing programme (for which it wins another special award), which has led to fitness classes and healthy options in vending machines. The company also actively encourages its staff to get out of the office at lunchtimes, and early Friday finishes enable employees to make the most of the weekend.

While one in five employees can work from home, all have the option of flexitime, which can earn them extra leave. After two years of service, workers can apply for a 12-week unpaid sabbatical and those clocking up 10 years at the firm get five days’ extra holiday as a reward for their loyalty. Policies such as these make staff feel that the firm really tries to help them (88%).

The company also believes in giving back to the community and caring for the environment. It sponsors local football and rugby clubs and supports public transport by funding the use by staff of the city park-and-ride service and by providing a 20% subsidy for bus and train use.

Benefits include free private healthcare for all the family, share options, subsidised sports facilities, a contributory pension and, of course, free dental insurance.

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