Cotteswold House Dental
We spoke to Karen, the practice manager at Cotteswold House Dental. She knows what it takes to run a profitable and efficient dental practice with seven surgeries, 32 dedicated team members, and 26 years of experience at the practice. Read on to hear why her practice switched to Patient Plan Direct.


Why did you choose Patient Plan Direct?
“We had been with DPAS for over 20 years when we first heard about Patient Plan Direct (PPD) at a dental show. Initially, we weren’t actively looking to switch providers, but after speaking with the PPD team, we decided to explore the potential benefits.
“What immediately stood out was the significant cost savings for what I would describe as an extremely similar service. We were astonished by how much more dental plan income we could retain with PPD. Moreover, the team at PPD demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience. It was clear they were an established company, and the decision was made before even informing DPAS of our intention to switch dental plan provider.”
The Transition to PPD
“When we informed DPAS, our representative, with whom we had a good rapport, expressed her sadness and disappointment about our intention to leave. Not long after we had told them we were 100% switching to PPD, they offered a substantial discount to retain us. This made us question why, after over two decades of loyalty, we were only now being offered a discount—had we been overcharged all along?
“The ‘Simple Switch’ process with PPD was truly as straightforward as it sounds. It was seamless to the point that everything else felt familiar, apart from adapting to the new online portal. Naturally, some team members were resistant to the change, particularly with the new technology, initially preferring the familiarity of DPAS’s system. However, within a few weeks, after receiving training and using the portal, everyone adapted, finding the PPD system incredibly user-friendly and much more efficient than the DPAS system.”
How did Patient Plan Direct help you succeed?
Communicating the Change to Patients
“PPD arranged the communication to be mailed to our patients, informing them about the change in dental plan provider. A handful of patients expressed concerns initially, but they were reassured once we explained there would be no change in service and that they would still benefit from worldwide discretionary dental cover. The transition did not affect our patient retention at all.”
Client Service Support
“We are self-sufficient at our practice, so we do not rely heavily on client services at PPD. However, we have received prompt responses whenever we have had a query.
“DPAS offered quarterly one-hour visits from our plan representative, but as I am familiar with the plan reports, I felt I didn’t need this service when we switched to PPD. With PPD, support is readily available whenever required. Whether for a catch-up or additional team training, all I need to do is ask, and they deliver. This flexible support eliminates the need for lengthy face-to-face meetings, allowing me, as a practice manager, to better manage my busy schedule.”
Advice for Others Considering a Switch
“Switching to PPD has allowed us to reinvest in our practice, contributing to our expansion from 5 to 7 surgeries and enhancing our equipment. We’ve also grown our patient plan numbers by 370 patients in a short time.
“Switching to PPD has been a no-brainer. If you’re considering changing your plan provider, I’d say do it. Don’t fear the change. Supporting smaller businesses like PPD rather than a big corporation is also a rewarding experience, and we’re delighted with the outcome.
For Practices Without a Plan
“If your practice doesn’t offer dental plans, you’re missing out. A patient plan enhances loyalty, keeps your appointment book full, and ensures a steady income. It’s invaluable for maintaining a thriving practice. Our team all confidently promote the plan to patients too, knowing we’d recommend it to our families as it’s invaluable.
Both our patients and team are happier than ever!”
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