Club Mentor. Mentoring For Dental Practice Managers

Catching up with Berni Wilkinson, a few months into her new role at Rose & Co.

Why have you set up Club Mentor, and what problems does it solve?

Club Mentor was an idea I had after informally supporting and guiding managers who were reaching out for help. I saw capable, committed people struggling, not because they lacked work ethic or intelligence, but because they’d never been taught structured, real-world management or been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to run dental practices.

In dentistry, clinicians benefit from formal mentorship; for example, the NHS Foundation Year, where new dentists work alongside an Educational Supervisor for guidance and support. And so practice managers, who carry immense operational and regulatory responsibility, need and deserve the same.

Most managers follow a traditional internal promotion route, often from roles such as Head Nurse. But we sometimes forget – just because they were good at THAT role doesn’t mean they’ll thrive in this one, not without support. Management requires a distinct skill set: leadership, compliance, finance, business acumen, and team development. Too often, they ‘fall’ into the role and are left to firefight, learning only reactively while managing significant pressure.

Principals themselves were rarely taught leadership or management at dental school, and their focus, rightly, should be on patient care. While they want to support their managers, their own lack of management and leadership training, along with time constraints and competing priorities, limit how far they can go. Club Mentor addresses this gap.

It provides managers with structured, on-demand access to an experienced mentor with 26 years of real-world dental leadership experience, ensuring they develop competence, confidence, and clarity in their roles. It also reduces pressure on principals, providing peace of mind that their manager is developing professionally and operating with sound judgment.

My goal with Club Mentor is stronger managers, aligned and happy teams, and more resilient practices.

Why you and why now?

Last year, I reached a personal crossroads and seriously considered leaving dentistry. It was through conversations with colleagues and friends that I realised how much accumulated experience I had and how valuable it could be to others. It would be such a shame to lose that.

Looking back over my 26 years, I discovered that one of the most rewarding parts of my career has been watching others grow, supporting people to develop and thrive.

At this stage of my career, I want to give back and contribute to meaningful change. Club Mentor allows me to channel my decades of experience into that real change, hopefully building the next generation of managers and leaders, more confident teams, and healthier, happier practices. The industry is evolving rapidly, and expectations are increasing. The need for capable, well-supported leadership has never been greater, and so the timing feels right.

What exactly is Club Mentor?

Club Mentor is a comprehensive mentoring subscription focused on Dental Management and Compliance.

At its core, it is an “on-demand” hand on your shoulder, a trusted voice at the end of the phone when difficult conversations, regulatory concerns, or operational challenges arise.  It goes far beyond quick fixes. I don’t simply provide templates or “how-to” instructions that allow practices to tick boxes and survive another week. I focus on ensuring managers truly understand the why behind decisions, policies, and processes. That understanding builds judgement, resilience, and long-term capability, not dependency. The subscription includes:

• Ongoing access to mentoring and real-time support
• Four full on-site practice visits per year
• Monthly meetings
• Support with missing or incomplete documentation
• Regulatory updates and guidance
• CQC preparation and compliance support

It is structured, proactive learning and development, not reactive crisis management. It allows competent & confident managers to take what they learn and embed it throughout the whole team.

How is it different from other resources for dental practices?

Many resources offer planners, compliance folders, generic documentation, or passive subscription content. These tools can be helpful, but they don’t build personal development and leadership capability.

Club Mentor is personalised, relationship-based mentoring grounded in lived experience.

Every practice is different: culture, team dynamics, patient demographics, leadership style. My support is bespoke to the individual manager and the specific context of their practice.

Within a short period, I have become deeply invested in the teams I work with. I feel honoured when practices place their trust in me, and I take that responsibility seriously. I am a committed part of their team.

The transformation in managers is becoming visible quickly: clearer decision-making, stronger communication, improved confidence, and a calmer, more strategic approach overall. That growth is what makes the difference.

How are you enjoying being part of the Rose & Co. team?

I am enjoying being part of a team, especially one whose values align so closely with my own.

Dentistry is a healthcare service first and foremost. While financial metrics and performance data are important, we must never lose sight of the fact that our work revolves around people, both patients and teams.

When trust, relationships, communication, and culture are strong, the business outcomes tend to follow. Rose & Co. reinforces that philosophy. It supports practices to build strong foundations, not just commercially, but culturally.

It is also great to know I am not working alone and I can collaborate and bounce ideas and concerns off Kevin and others, exchanging ideas and insight.

What are you doing to get such great feedback as this?

“Berni carried out a mock CQC inspection for us, and she was incredibly knowledgeable, supportive, and explained everything clearly. The inspection was thorough and realistic, which was great, so I know what to expect. I came away with a much clearer understanding of CQC expectations and greater confidence in my role. I would highly recommend Berni for any service, particularly managers, for further guidance and reassurance.” Sarah Cumberland. Practice Manager, RD Dental

RD Dental recently invited me to undertake a mock CQC inspection. I utilised all of my experience and knowledge from previously being a group practice manager, and elevated the team at RD Dental, endorsing their own understanding and benefits of being a ‘CQC ready’ dental practice.

What’s next?

It’s already happening, a collaboration that brings together both my experience and Kevin’s.

Later this year we are hosting four regional workshops for principals and managers. Each will be a full-day immersive leadership development program: practical, strategic, and grounded in the experiences and realities of modern dental practice. It will give attendees direct insight into proven the leadership frameworks and developmental approach that Rose & Co. believe in.

How do you book? 

Just add your details to the venue and date that works best for you.

We will add you to the waiting list and places will be offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis: