Brilliant Healthy Smiles - A Community Dental Initiative in Bradford
Brilliant Healthy Smiles (BHS) was founded by Dr. Fraz Ali, an award-winning cosmetic dentist, businessman, and entrepreneur with deep roots in Bradford. Bradford being a city with high deprivation levels, hundreds of thousands lacking access to NHS dental care. The initiative aims to replicate the NHS banding system for treatment pricing, making dental care accessible and affordable while ensuring sustainability.
The journey began with securing LABD funding of a £20,000 grant from Give Bradford, and £205,000 zero-interest loan over 10 years from Key Fund. Additionally, Dr. Fraz contributed a personal investment of £57,175.
Since inception, the project has progressed steadily. Premises development is underway with an expected four-month build-out period. The practice targets opening by the end of 2025, pending Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration. BHS plans to integrate AI in phone systems, online booking, and diagnostic X-rays to enhance patient experience and clinical accuracy.
“The vision of Brilliant Healthy Smiles is deeply personal, driven by a commitment to community wellbeing and creating accessibility. Thanks to the invaluable support from LABD team, especially Ashfaq and Kamran, who connected us with crucial resources and helped build our capacity. Our aim is to break inequalities in dental access while fostering local investment in Bradford.”
Once opened, BHS intends to employ approximately 10 full-time staff, with potential for future growth. The pilot model will include 4 surgeries, with an ambitious plan to expand to 400 surgeries a year. Their goal is to build a patient list of 6,000 individuals receiving consistent care.