COMMUNITY
THE COPENHAGEN POST CPHPOST.DK
31 August - 6 September 2012
13
The American who has brought the dentist into the workplace
J
OSHUA PERRY, a 38-year-old American, is in charge of a cuttingedge business enterprise. Falck Dentalcare started life as a business idea he conceived while he was a student on the Copenhagen Business School (CBS) Executive-MBA (EMBA) programme, and in the future it could potentially revolutionise the way dental care is provided to Danes. Contrary to general belief, Denmark is not a difficult place to set up a new business, believes Indiana-born Perry, who already had a business in the USA, but was looking for a new business venture. After some thorough research, Perry discovered that both the Wall Street Journal and Fortune Magazine had named Denmark as one of the best countries in the world to establish a new business. “Denmark is a fantastic place to set up a new business,” said Perry. “So there was no second thought when I was recommended to enlist at Copenhagen Business School. Denmark is renowned for its free spirit, open culture and transparent legal system. And in addition to that, there is a sharp focus on a long-term return of investment. Americans, on the other hand, are more immediate solutionorientated. This may result in quicker decisions and less people involved, but may not result in the best solution. So as an American entrepreneur setting up a business in Copenhagen, I think I got the best of two worlds.” Perry started his EMBA studies at CBS part-time while still living in the US and running his business, Onsite Health Inc. This meant flying to and from Denmark every other weekend. After the first year, he decided to go all in and make Copenhagen his permanent base. “I have a strong belief that Denmark at the moment has a lot of brand equity to offer in regard to social and environmental values,” he contended. “This is a strong asset when setting up a new business, and this strengthened my belief that Copenhagen was the right place to be. Copenhagen Business School in particular is renowned for bridging cultural and business differences. The school gave me an invaluable network and contacts that
Danish workers needn’t waste two hours of their working day at the dentist anymore
EMBA, and the co-writing of a thesis with a fellow student, Thomas Bo Christensen, Perry was able to generate interest in the concept of Onsite Dental among Danish workplaces and forge a potential new partnership with Falck Healthcare A/S. Falck has been a dominant force in providing healthcare services on the Danish market for numerous years. In March 2012, the partnership with Falck Healthcare was finalised and operations were given the go-ahead. “There’s definitely a big potential. Falck has a great reputation that helps pave the way for synergies between health and dental checks, letting the technicians of the different trades work together. Even with a conservative mindset, there are many opportunities lying ahead for Falck Dentalcare,” reveals Perry. In 2011, Joshua Perry was named the EMBA student of year at Copenhagen Business School. He is currently the managing director of Falck Dentalcare, which has gained a number of new workplace clients including Atea and Dako, with others also expressing an intrest. IDA WANG
Onsite dental care sees less time wasted on visits and less tooth decay
have been vital in my business ventures.” For some years Joshua Perry had been puzzling with the idea of setting up a new business that focuses on dental care for companies outside the USA. The relatively simple concept, named Onsite Dental, was based on the idea of offering employees onsite dental care during working hours, thus meaning they would have greater and easier access to dental care. For the companies, this would be an attractive employee benefit that would increase productivity and the work-life balance. The concept is adopted from the business he was working with in the USA. Perry, having supplied dentistry to companies like Yahoo!, Google and eBay, was eager to start looking for an opportunity for another startup operation in a new market, leveraging on the knowledge gained in the USA. “Just like in the USA, a substantial number of Danes do not see their dentist regularly – not because they cannot afford it, but simply because of inconvenience or lack of time,” said Perry. This is why Onsite Dental intends to bring preventative dental care to the Danish workplaces.” In 2011, things began to take off and Perry laid the foundation for his new Danish venture. By forming an advisory board made up of fellow EMBA students, Joshua gained local insight and assistance to navigate the Danish market. “While there are many similarities between the USA and Denmark, there are still differences culturally and in the business environment,” he observed. “Danes are very practical people with a very progressive stance on healthcare that allows for high quality and cost-effective care. For instance, hygienists
COLOURBOX
DAVE SMITH
a n d dental can assistants provide a variety of dental procedures without a dentist present, which you would need a dentist to do in the USA.” Thanks to the good teamwork of the advisory board, the knowledge gained through the
The CBS has been “invaluable” says Joshua Perry
COMING UP SOON OUTBREAK The Danish National School of Theatre and Contemporary Dance, Philip de Langes Allé, Cph K; Fri Aug 31, 09:00-16:00; free adm; www.teaterskolen-uddannelse.dk Come and participate in a discussion regarding the future of arts education, or simply come and listen to the array of international artists and theoreticians who have come to speak on the subject. Between 17:00 and 18:30, there are performances by fourth-year dance students. Copenhagen World Cup Skyttegade, next to Rantzausgade, Cph N; Sat Sep 1- Sun Sep 2; 300kr per team; www.play31.dk/ copenhagenworldcup Play31 is for the second year organising an international football tournament during the SmagVerden (Taste the World) festival. The tournament will focus on co-existence and fair play, with all proceeds going to Play31’s charitable work in Sierra Leone. Get a team of six and eight together and represent your country or come by and cheer on your favourite team! Copenhagen Irish Set Dancers open house Nyelandsvej 23, Frederiksberg C; Mon Sep 10, 19:30; free adm The Copenhagen Irish Set Dancers (CIS) have been holding Irish set and step dance lessons for 20 years, with practices held once a week. If you think you might want to start taking lessons, or you just want to enjoy a nice evening with some Irish dancing, take your family and friends to Frederiksberg for the CIS’s open house.
New England Mussel bake Secret location to be announced; Sun Sep 2, 11:00-23:00; see www.billetto.dk/musselbake for prices Street Corner Kitchen is now introducing its latest street food concept to Copenhagen, and it’s nothing less than a New England-style mussel bake! Half a kilo of mussels with fresh bread costs only 85kr, and book fast to get the discounted drink tickets on presale! Malaysia Day Clipper House, Sundkrogsgade 19 Cph Ø; Sat Sep 1, 18:00-00:00; 150kr for members, 250kr for non-members Come and enjoy Malaysian hospitality and Danish hygge all at once during ‘Hari Merdeka’ – Malaysia’s 55th Independence Day. Clipper House, the honorary consulate for Malaysia, will be playing host to an evening of food, drink and traditional entertainment for the entire family. An Evening of Improv! Café Cadeau, HC Ørstadsvej 28, Frederiksberg; Fri Aug 31, 19:00; participation free Fancy yourself a bit of a John Cleese, or perhaps you’re more of a DeNiro type? The Copenhagen Theatre Circle is once again hosting an evening of improvised theatre and calling all open or closeted thespians to come along and play onstage. The activities will be, as usual, led by David and Rosemary, and after the theatricals you’re invited to stick around and taste what Café Cadeau has to offer with your new actor friends.
Friday drinks The Globe Bar, Nørregade 45, Cph K, Fri Aug 31, 20:00; Free entry This Friday, the British meetup group, Copenhagen Brits, are holding drinks at the popular Irish pub. So if you’re British, or maybe just really love Marmite and Monty Python, come down to the Globe for a pint and a chat. Animal welfare project planning Café Retro, Knabrostræde 26, Cph K; Sat Sep 1, 17:00-19:30; free adm The Copenhagen Social Catalysts group is hosting an evening to discuss plans regarding animal welfare projects in Copenhagen. The main focus will be on dog adoption and rehousing, so if you’re an animal-lover who wants to make a difference, then come by and see what you can do to help. Mindfulness and Meditation Workshop Copenhagen International School, Hellerupvej 22-26, Hellerup; Tue Sep 18, 18:30-21:30; 150kr; www.europeanpwn.net /copenhagen The European Professional Women’s Network is holding a workshop with a focus on mindfulness and meditation, and how they modify the stress response. Led by the dynamic Nikki Gordon Skovby, who holds degrees in both medicine and psychiatry as well as heading up her own medical consulting company, the workshop will also include guided meditations and meditation exercises.
LINN LEMHAG