KUCHING: One of Malaysia’s leading healthcare player, BP Healthcare Group, will invest RM100 million over the next three years to set up the biggest dental care network in the country.
The plans were revealed in the company’s press statement yesterday as it added that there would be up to 50 outlets by the end of the period which would complement the group’s overall thrust on health and wellness.
“The first dental clinic will open in the second week of September at the BP Specialist Centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, to be followed by another three more at its specialist centres in Cheras, Klang and Ipoh in November,” the press statement highlighted.
“Within the next three years, we will have 50 dental care clinics throughout the country. Each will cost RM2 million and the bulk of the investment will be spent on acquiring the best and latest equipment from overseas,” said BP Healthcare deputy chairman, Chevy Beh who is also the group’s Finance and Investment director.
A new company, BP Dental Sdn Bhd, has been established under the group, to spearhead this new business as it moved up the value chain. The company aimed to continually enhance its range and delivery of healthcare services to customers.
Another 15 to 20 clinics were expected to be added next year and the remaining in 2014, all of which would be located within existing BP outlets and dental checks would be included in BP Healthcare’s popular comprehensive ‘Head2Toe’ health screening programme.
“With an extensive network, BP Dental will be in a strong position to source competitively and share the benefits with customers by way of affordable treatments,” the press statement noted.
Beh said the establishment of BP Dental would bring about a new challenge for BP Healthcare to create greater awareness among Malaysians on the importance of oral health and adopt a prevention mindset.
“By and large, many Malaysians visit the dentist only as a last resort when there is pain. We want to change that and encourage them to enjoy excellent oral hygiene by going for regular and affordable checks before it is too late,” said Beh planned to lead the operations of BP Dental personally.
The privately-held BP Healthcare Group is a diversified healthcare provider and Southeast Asia’s largest medical diagnostic chain with over 90 outlets in Malaysia and a joint venture in Indonesia with the well-known Ciputra Group.