American dental software firm Planet DDS invests £10m in new Glasgow location

An American dental software firm has invested £10m in a new location in Glasgow, creating 75 jobs.

Planet DDS’s new technology and support centre has been hailed as a “vote of confidence in Scotland’s economy”.

The California-based company provides cloud-enabled dental software to 10,000 practises in North America, with more than 60,000 users.

Its AI and data management applications are designed to help dental practices “transition to a completely digital approach” to their business.

Planet DDS said it had chosen to base its technology development and support centre Glasgow partly due to local technical expertise.

The 75 high-tech jobs are expected to be phased in over the next few years, with nine new staff recruited for the company’s software engineering team.

A grant of £985,000 was provided as a contribution towards the company’s £10,4m investment by Scottish Enterprise.

The company was welcomed to Scotland during a visit by Scottish Government Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray to the company’s offices at The Garment Factory, in the Glasgow City Innovation District.

Scottish Government wellbeing economy secretary Neil Gray said: “This £10m investment is a vote of confidence in Scotland’s economy and will help create 75 good quality jobs.

“Inward investment worth £1bn was supported by the Scottish Government and its enterprise and skills agencies from 2018 to 2021 and today’s announcement shows we are maintaining momentum towards building a more sustainable and prosperous future.

“EY’s recent independent Annual Attractiveness Survey highlighted Scotland as the most attractive foreign direct investment location outside of London, a position held for the last eight years.”

Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie met Plant DDS bosses during a US business trip at the start of the year, with the company’s CTO and CEO both visiting Scotland and meeting with a range of key partners and potential employees.

Reuben Aitken, Scottish Enterprise managing director of International Operations, said: “Planet DDS opening its technology development centre in Scotland is testament to the vibrant business environment and tech talent we offer inward investors.

“The company had a choice of three global locations, with Scotland winning due to our skilled workforce, world-class universities and stimulating innovation districts.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, commented: “I’m delighted that a pioneering company with the global reach of Planet DDS has selected Glasgow as its first UK base.

“This is a real vote of confidence in Glasgow’s talented and skilled workforce and our growing reputation as city of innovation, ambition and opportunity. Creating dozens of high-quality jobs within such a hi-tech sector will help drive that reputation further.

“And located within our world class City Innovation District, Planet DDS is perfectly placed to secure the benefits of Glasgow’s energy, ingenuity and creativity.”