Vikki Johnson-Best

Working closely with our Dental Director, I am responsible for ensuring successful operational delivery of high-quality dental and oral health education services, and all contractual requirements from our commissioners. With accountability for the development and delivery of our Service Improvement, Innovation and Outreach Programmes, I have responsibility for ensuring operational efficiency across the company and steering our strategic planning and business development initiatives, and therefore also provide line management support to our heads of HR, IT/IG and Marketing & Communications.

My role sees me attending high level contract meetings with our commissioners, and planning and managing critical service improvement, operational and major commercial projects on behalf of the business, from office relocations and refurbishing dental clinics to significant building renovation and redevelopment. I am responsible for managing all estates-related matters across the whole of our business which includes anything from setting up brand-new practices from scratch, such as Keast Mews Dental Centre, and liaising with landlords and colleagues through to issues management and negotiating directly with contractors and suppliers.

The most enjoyable aspect of my role is working with some lovely colleagues who are so passionate about what they do and their place within our organisation.  I love the opportunity to immerse myself in a multitude of varied projects, so my working day is never the same, but the biggest challenge in this role is the fact there aren’t 48 hours in a day….!

Prior to joining Smile Together in 2014 I worked for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust (PCT) commissioning GP services.   I then opted to work for NHS Plymouth to continue on this career path where, I assumed responsibility for dental commissioning for the PCT whilst the original lead was on maternity leave.  I never went back to GP commissioning full-time but was inspired into remaining with dentistry. In March 2023 I was appointed as an Executive Director on the Smile Together Board, prior to which I was Head of Operations and Commercial for a number of years, so a tremendous progression of which I am hugely proud.

I find Smile Together a most inspiring environment, particularly in terms of the business’s ambitious and forward thinking attitude.  I love the fact that we’re not afraid to try new things and be innovative wherever we can.

To someone considering working for Smile Together, I would say that if you’re seeking an employment opportunity where you feel like you can really make a difference to the community in which you live, look no further.  As a team member here you’re offered every opportunity to have a say in how the company operates, put forward ideas for service improvement and make that difference.  If you want to work with a group of people that put their everything into all that they do because they really care, then Smile Together could be the employer for you.