Tough times may mean fewer reasons to be cheerful, but managers at Denplan know how to keep staff smiling. For the sixth consecutive year the UK’s leading dental payment plan provider has climbed the Best Companies table, this year gaining two places to rank fourth, its highest ever finish.

Employees feel that managers talk openly and honestly to them, giving an 85% positive score. Company results and customer numbers are shared with the 341 staff so there are no secrets about how the firm is performing.

It is measures such as this that make employees feel their managers care about them as individuals (83%). They are happy that important information is shared with them, giving an 81% positive score.

An 82% score, ranking Denplan fifth, shows that managers regularly express appreciation for a job well done. Employees don’t feel they are under too much pressure to perform well (76%) and say that managers care about how satisfied they are at work (81%). The firm’s overall score for the questions about managers is second to just one other company (80%).

Steve Gates, who has been managing director of Denplan for seven years, won our leadership award two years ago. He hasn’t lost the personal touch, with staff giving an 87% score for being inspired by the person leading the organisation, ranking Gates second on this point.

An 80% score shows people feel senior managers listen to them, and they are motivated to give their best every day (75%).

Extra motivation can be given in the form of a £25 manager thank you award. Staff are encouraged to recognise the efforts of their colleagues by nominating them for awards worth up to £100. This fosters a good team spirit.

Staff give a top 10 factor score of 81% for the My Team category and say that colleagues really care for each other (84%).

The leadership team can upgrade the £100 award to a superstar award, worth £500 or an outstanding contributor award, worth £1,000.

Gates strives to be visible and approachable, and departmental meetings give people the opportunity to ask him questions. An 82% score shows staff don’t think the bottom line is the only thing driving the company.

Six of the nine senior managers in the firm were promoted internally. Employees consider working at Denplan good for their personal growth, giving an 83% score. With professional qualifications and NVQs on offer, they say the training is of great personal benefit to them (73%).

People don’t feel the company takes advantage of them (74%). They have a great deal of faith in the managing director (90%, a score beaten by only one other company) and say he runs the organisation on sound moral principles (87%).

The company, based in Winchester, was commended in 2008 in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Sustainable Business Awards for its excellent standards of economic, social and environmental sustainability and for being an inspiration to other businesses. Employees are happy that Denplan does plenty to protect the environment (81%) and plays its part in the local community (74%).

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