Supporting practice owners with HR
Learn how our HR consultancy service has supported dental practices like yours quickly and effectively.
Investigating workplace misconduct
One of the dental practices we work with had an employee that was being disruptive, interfering with equipment, bullying, hiding colleagues’ belongings, and causing significant damage and disruption to clinic operations. As a result of all this, the team’s morale was deteriorating. The practice owner tried to investigate the problem but could not resolve the issue due to a lack of clear evidence and procedural expertise.
To move things forward, the practice brought in our HR consultancy team.
Our consultants launched a detailed and impartial investigation, interviewing 12 staff members, reviewing over 50 documents and conduct. This thorough process found one individual responsible for all the disruption and identified eight counts of gross misconduct. All meetings and documentation were managed with precision, ensuring the investigation remained fair, legally compliant, and professionally executed.
Once the individual was removed, the practice experienced a noticeable shift. Operations stabilised, team morale improved, and the owner felt confident that the issue had been properly resolved. Our involvement not only addressed a serious internal problem but also helped the practice rebuild trust and cohesion across the team.
By stepping in at a critical moment, we helped the practice avoid further disruption and financial loss, allowing them to refocus on delivering high-quality patient care. The outcome demonstrates how targeted support can restore stability and protect the wellbeing of both the team and the business.
Handling a complex capability issue
A staff member went on long-term sick leave due to mental health challenges, leaving the practice owner to manage a sensitive capability issue without prior experience. The situation quickly became overwhelming, with complex legal and emotional factors making it difficult to know how to proceed.
Recognising the need for expert support, the practice contacted our HR consultancy team.
From the outset, our consultants took full ownership of the case and conducted the meetings. We also arranged medical reports, coordinated all communications, and prepared the necessary documentation. Every step was handled with care, discretion, and in full compliance with employment legislation.
Throughout the process, the practice owner was kept informed and supported, but freed from the burden of managing the case alone. This allowed them to focus on running their business, confident that the matter was being handled professionally and with compassion.
Our involvement ensured the issue was resolved in a way that respected the employee’s circumstances while protecting the practice’s legal and operational interests.
It is a clear example of how expert guidance can turn a difficult situation into a manageable one; reducing stress, saving time, and ensuring the right outcome for everyone involved.
Responding to a formal grievance
After five months in post, a trainee nurse resigned from a family-run dental practice and submitted a formal grievance against the practice owner. The grievance, supported by a legal representative, included serious allegations of discrimination and misconduct. The tone and content of the complaint had a significant emotional impact on the practice owner, who considered it a close-knit and inclusive team.
To ensure the matter was handled appropriately, the practice turned to our HR consultancy team.
Our consultants conducted the hearing and carried out a thorough and impartial investigation, carefully addressing each allegation and compiling a detailed 30-page report confirming that the claims were not substantiated. As the report laid everything out in a clear and professional manner, the former employee chose not to pursue the matter further.
This resolution allowed the practice to move forward without further disruption. The owner was reassured that the situation had been handled fairly, and the team was able to return to a positive working environment.
By stepping in at a sensitive moment, our consultancy team helped protect the practice’s reputation and supported the owner through a challenging experience.
The case demonstrates the importance of having trusted, expert support when navigating emotionally charged and legally complex situations.
Resolving a disciplinary dispute
One of the practice owners we work with tried to manage a disciplinary matter internally at first. However, procedural flaws in the process led the affected employee to submit a grievance through their solicitor, raising concerns about fairness and the potential for legal escalation. The situation quickly became complex and stressful, with the risk of a constructive dismissal claim looming.
Faced with these challenges, the practice sought help from our HR consultancy team.
Our consultants conducted the hearing and an impartial investigation and produced a comprehensive report that addressed each concern in detail. The findings were presented clearly, and the recommendations helped resolve the grievance while easing tensions within the team.
By involving our consultancy team, the practice avoided a potentially costly tribunal claim and restored trust in its internal processes. The owner gained confidence in how future issues could be managed, and the team benefited from a more structured and fair approach to workplace disputes.
This case highlights how early intervention and expert support can prevent legal risks and rebuild team relationships, making a real difference to the practice’s long-term stability.
It also reinforced the value of having access to professional HR consultant when internal processes fall short.
Defending against tribunal claims
A grievance was submitted against the practice owners, alleging sex and pregnancy-related discrimination. Concerned about the seriousness of the claims and the potential impact on their small business, the owners acted quickly and contacted our HR consultancy team.
We carried out a full and impartial investigation, producing a balanced, evidence-based report that did not uphold the allegations. The process was handled with care and professionalism, ensuring that all parties were given a fair opportunity to present their views.
Despite the outcome of the grievance, the employee resigned and submitted a tribunal claim. The original consultant from our team attended the tribunal as a witness, presenting the findings and defending the process followed. The judge commended the report’s fairness and thoroughness, noting that it gave the claimant a genuine opportunity to resolve the matter internally.
Thanks to the strength of the investigation and the clarity of the report, the tribunal dismissed the claim in full. The practice owners were relieved and reassured that their actions had been properly supported and defended.
This case demonstrates how expert consultancy can protect a practice from serious legal consequences and provide peace of mind during high-stakes situations. It also showed how a well-managed grievance process can stand up to scrutiny—even in a formal legal setting.
Updating employment policies for compliance
After acquiring a second practice, a member became concerned about outdated HR policies and employment documentation. The materials had not been reviewed since 2019 and were not relevant to dentistry. With the possibility of a CQC inspection or employment claim, the risks of non-compliance were growing.
To address this, the member engaged our HR consultancy team.
Our consultants carried out a full audit of the practice’s policies, contracts, and employee handbook. Several areas were identified as needing immediate updates, including equality policies, parental leave provisions, flexible working arrangements, associate contracts, and GDPR compliance.
Working closely with the practice owner, the team drafted a tailored, legally compliant set of documents that reflected both current legislation and the specific needs of the business. They also supported the rollout, briefing practice managers to ensure staff understood the changes and their implications.
This case shows how proactive support from our consultancy team can strengthen a practice’s HR framework and reduce future risk, while saving time and stress for the owner. It also demonstrated the value of having policies that are not just legally sound, but tailored to the realities of dental practice.
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