Unity Denticare ploughs profits back into the community

Unity Denticare, which comes under NTUC Health Co-operative, is upping its efforts to reach out to the community.

The social enterprise is ploughing whatever profits it makes back into the community.

It is offering free dental checks for the elderly during senior citizen events, educational talks in schools, and complimentary dental screening and affordable dental packages to taxi drivers in partnership with the National Taxi Association.

Its dentists also make overseas trips regularly to provide free dental service to the needy.

There are plans to give free dental checks to under-privileged children here and those in orphanages.

Unity is developing programmes for certain groups of people. Children between three and 12, for example, can receive free dental checks when they sign up for the Tooth Fairy Club, which also allows them to enjoy discounted rates for dental treatment, among other benefits.

The chain works with the unions to provide benefits to members, such as preferential rates for union members and corporate clients.

NTUC LinkPoints can also be redeemed at the clinics to further reduce members' bills.

In terms of communication, it is developing better tools, such as mobile apps designed for busy professionals to access dental-related information more easily.

Part of the reason the chain can offer these benefits is due to economies of scale in purchasing equipment and tools and in running clinic operations, which help to save costs and keep prices low in the long run, said Mr Leon Luai, head of clinical services and wellness at Unity Denticare.

This article was first published on July 17, 2014.
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