Dental Health - British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy

interviewWomen on TopParadise Dental Technologies (PDT) is a company born of ethics and integrity, but mostof all it oozes love and passion for dental hygiene. In a recent trip to the beautifultown of Missoula, in the stunning state of Montana in the shadows of the RockyMountains, Paul Harrison co-owner of Swallow Dental Supplies in the UK, spent sometime with Linda Miller, owner of the uniquely vibrant PDT, discussing the company’shistory, ethos and plans for the future.Paul: Linda, tell me a bit about your background.Linda: Well, the dental industry certainly isn’t new to me.I have worked in the industry for over 30 years. From 1980to 1991 I was the quality manager for the American DentalCompany and then, in 1992, I was one of the founders ofAmerican Eagle Instruments here in Missoula. This is whenI really knew that I enjoyed hygiene instruments the most.It was at American Eagle that I presented the idea, and wasinstrumental in the design of the first large-diameter, lighthygiene instruments. The larger, lighter handle designsmade a huge difference.Paul: So what made you decide to start your own company?Linda: I was “venting” to a friend about my job oneevening after work and said, “If we had our own businessbased around our ethics and integrity, it would be paradisecompared to where I am now”. So with our focus on mypersonal ethics, values and a commitment to all the peopleinvolved – customers, patients and an ideal environment forour employees – Paradise Dental Technologies (PDT) wasborn. The paradise theme can still be seen with our ads andthe Hawaiian shirts that we often wear at shows and thecolours developed for our instrument handles. And, youknow, it really is paradise.around Missoula; we are part of the bigger community afterall. I think that what we do here is reflected in our customerretention rates which show a 98% re-order ratio.Paul: You mentioned your employees and I have certainlyexperienced their dedication, belief and hospitality. As your businessgrows how do you keep the same philosophy?Linda: It has been very exciting seeing the development ofthe business. In 2000 there were three of us manufacturingin my two-car garage at home. There were some very longdays. Our early success meant that we had to move to anew factory in 2005 but quickly outgrew it. We now have49 close-knit employees in a new 23,000 sq ft state-of-theartfactory as well as our sales team of 29. It’s a very bigextended family that work and play together. We do not “jobthings out”. We keep all of our testing and production inhouse here in Missoula. It really is all down to caring aboutthe profession and producing a very high quality instrumentthat enables the hygienist to do their job better. We have atruly amazing team. We keep them involved in the businessand their enthusiasm and commitment rubs off on any newpeople that join us.Paul: Most people will relate to wanting to create a more ideal workenvironment, but your vision seems to go beyond this. You mentionedethics, values and a commitment to all the people involved. Tell me,what do these mean to you?Linda: Well, I think that companies have an obligationway beyond the “bottom line”. My personal and PDT’sbusiness ethics extend to our customers that buy and useour instruments; they must be the best that can be made.We must also consider the patient who will have a betterexperience because our instruments are used and, last butnot least, our employees in Missoula who work hard tomake the instruments the best that can be used. By keepingour company in Missoula we are able to employ excellent,skilled and dedicated people all of whom have the samegoal – to make the best instruments available. We also havea programme of dental hygiene education for schools in andLinda in the factory.32 Dental Health Volume 51 No 6 of 6 November 2012