“I’d taken the practice as far as I could on my own — I needed support to raise the roof on what was possible.”

Dr. Stephen Pitt

BDS, PGcert, FHEA

Dr Stephen Pitt built The Dental Studio from scratch. What began as a squat in 2005 became a thriving, distinctive practice with its own personality, culture and loyal patient base. But after more than 20 years of growth, Stephen began to feel he was reaching a ceiling.

“I’d been looking to sell intermittently for about six years,” he explains. “Not because I wanted to walk away from dentistry — far from it. I just felt I’d taken the practice as far as I could on my own. To unlock the next stage of growth, I needed more knowledge, more expertise and more perspective.”

Despite exploring the market several times, nothing felt right.

“I never found a buyer or contract that worked for me, my team and the business. My biggest concern was losing the identity of the practice. It wasn’t just about keeping the name above the door — it was about protecting the culture we’d created and the way we treat staff and patients.”

Having grown the business from nothing, Stephen was understandably protective.

“When you’ve built something from the ground up, you feel responsible for its future. I needed to be certain I was leaving it in the right hands — or ideally, not leaving it at all.”

That’s what made DeNovo’s shared ownership approach different.

“It didn’t feel like handing the practice over. It felt like introducing an extra pair of hands to help steer the next phase. That was a fundamental shift in mindset.”

Initially, he admits, it sounded almost too good to be true.

“The idea that I could retain full autonomy, continue managing the practice without external pressures, and access support only when I wanted it — I was sceptical. But I spoke to existing Partners, and they confirmed that it was exactly as described.”

One aspect that particularly resonated was DeNovo’s attitude towards individuality.

“They actively sought practices with quirks and personality. I love teaching, for example. Other potential buyers questioned whether it would continue to generate income. DeNovo embraced it. They understood that what makes a practice different is often what makes it successful.”

The transaction itself moved quickly once the decision was made.

“From agreeing heads of terms to completion, it took just two to three months. The team were honest, friendly and transparent throughout. That gave me confidence.”

Post-completion, Stephen says the reality has matched the promise.

“The environment is genuinely collaborative. Support is there when I need it — particularly in areas like marketing and growth planning — but nothing is imposed. We’re expanding the team and exploring new services such as sleep dentistry, and those conversations are constructive rather than restrictive.”

Financial alignment also plays a motivating role.

“There’s the opportunity to earn more as the practice grows, and as a shareholder in the wider group, I benefit from the overall increase in value. It creates a real incentive to keep investing in the business rather than slowing down.”

For Stephen, the key distinction is clear.

“This model isn’t for someone who wants to sell and disappear. It’s for principals who love the practice they’ve built but recognise that they can go further with the right backing.”

Reflecting on the journey, he adds:

“If you’re ambitious and want to unlock the next level — without sacrificing autonomy or culture — this approach allows you to raise the roof on what’s possible, while still being the same practice at heart.”

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LOCATION: Colchester, Essex

ESTABLISHED: 2005

TYPE OF PRACTICE: Private Only

SPECIAL INTERESTS: General, Cosmetic, Orthodontic, Facial Aesthetics, Teaching