Expand smiles with Dentistree

With apt infrastructure in place and high-caliber professionals at all levels, Dentistree, a dental clinic franchise is fully geared up to cash on the emerging trends in medical tourism. In an interview Vijay Kumar, Managing Director, Dentistree shares the emergence and future aspirations of his brand.

Neha Gohil(NG): Share with us about the inception and success of ‘Dentistree’?

Vijay Kumar (VK): We take pleasure in introducing ourselves as one of the leading, professionally managed, complete dental care hospital of its kind in Chennai which provides a range of dental services.

Launched in 1999 with just two dental surgeons, Dentistree today has evolved as a complete dental care centre, providing a host of services in various fields of dentistry, to the residents of Chennai. Now, the brand is located at many other places like Teynampet, Adyar, Ashok Nagar, Kanchipuram, Pondicherry etc.

As a pinnacle, Dentistree has recently launched Dentistree International Dental Hospital at Teynampet, with an objective to provide International quality dental care with European technology combined with Indian expertise.

NG: What inspired you to start Dentistree? Why and when did you take the franchise route for expansion?

VK: The vacuum in organised sector in dental services was the main reason for the inspiration for starting Dentistree. We took the franchise route in December 2010. Reason for taking the franchise route was that we wanted to create a brand identity and make it known pan India.

NG: What is the USP of Dentistree?

VK: Affordability and best quality dental care all under one roof is the USP of Dentistree. In addition there are very few organised dental care centres which can match up to the standards and treatment of Dentistree.

NG: What are your future plans in terms of expansion through franchising?

VK: We are looking for pan India expansion in four to five years. We have set a target of around 100 branches in all four regions (NEWS).

NG: What are the qualities you seek for in your prospective franchisees? How much investment and area is required by them?

VK: Dentistree is run via FOCO model, (Franchisee owned-Company operated). Therefore an entrepreneur with an investment of Rs four million for tier II and III towns and Rs six to seven million for metros and capital cities can become our franchisee.

NG: How many franchisees do you have in India and in which cities?

VK: Till date we have four franchisees in India. They are located in Pondicherry, Kalpakkam and two in Chennai.

NG: What encouraged you to enter the international market? Which all countries are you focusing at?

VK: Matured markets, increased awareness and high price of treatment in the international scenario are few of the factors that encouraged us to take the brand to the international level. We are mainly focusing on Middle East and North African countries. We also plan to enter Srilanka.

NG: How does Dentistree support and train its franchisees?

VK: As mentioned Dentistree is run via franchise owned and company operated model. Therefore, we provide initial training and we also conduct regular internal and external training programs for franchisees.