Prestigious national award for Mayo-based firm

There was cause for celebration in Claremorris recently when local employer DeCare Dental was named SME Company of the Year at the prestigious IBEC KeepWell Awards. The national award recognises organisations that prioritise the well-being of their staff and embed wellness and development into the culture of the workplace.

DeCare, which employs 135 people in the town, is Ireland’s only specialist dental and vision insurance provider, serving more than 72,000 customers nationally and providing support services for over seven million dental customers in the United States. The company is also a leading provider of health and well-being programmes in the workplace, with its Claremorris base acting as the hub for operations and innovation.

The KeepWell Mark, which is awarded by IBEC, is a benchmark for excellence in corporate health and well-being, and the SME Company of the Year accolade recognises organisations that lead by example.

Maureen Walsh, Managing Director of DeCare, said the award was a reflection of the ongoing commitment shown by the company and its staff.

“This is a huge honour,” Maureen told the Western People. “The assessment process was incredibly thorough, covering everything from leadership and employee development to mental health, nutrition and workplace wellness. It’s quite a holistic approach - not just about policies or figures, but about how the team actually experience working life here.” 

At the heart of the award was the people, explained Maureen.

“The biggest part of all this is the team and how they’ve transformed both their working lives and their personal well-being through their commitment to these different areas. We’re very proud of that.” 

DeCare’s workplace culture is shaped by continuous learning and well-being. Employees take part in regular mental health and wellness training, including Mental Health First Aid, and the company runs year-round programmes promoting physical activity and nutrition. There are trained staff members in well-being-related disciplines and regular in-house workshops focused on both health and personal development.

The company’s human resources team plays a key role in delivering and supporting many of these initiatives, which Maureen said are designed not just to tick a box, but to genuinely support the team in their work and lives.

“We know that when people feel supported, they perform better. There’s a direct link between well-being and company performance - and this award acknowledges that,” she said. “Even during Covid, when the world had to adapt, our team used the opportunity to cross-train, learn online, and grow in new ways.” 

As part of the KeepWell evaluation process, an independent assessor - a qualified psychologist with a background in business - conducted in-depth interviews with staff, reviewed training practices, and examined DeCare’s overall performance as a company.

“The assessor noted how strong and committed the team is, and how that really comes through in every area of the business,” Maureen said. “For a company like ours based in Claremorris, that kind of national recognition is a fantastic boost.” 

DeCare’s success is also good news for the wider region. With a workforce of over 130 in Claremorris and a reach that spans both sides of the Atlantic, the company is a significant local employer and contributor to the Mayo economy.

“This is a great story for Claremorris,” Maureen said. “It shows that a company based here in the West of Ireland can lead on a national level when it comes to innovation, culture and people development.” 

The company is continuing to grow its footprint, expanding its services in dental and vision insurance while also delivering oral health education and workplace wellness services to businesses across the country.

DeCare now offers vision insurance benefits alongside its core dental offerings, allowing corporate clients to support employees in accessing glasses, contact lenses and vision care services. 

“With the rising cost of healthcare, these kinds of benefits are becoming more important than ever,” Maureen said.

While DeCare’s growth is a reflection of sound strategy and market understanding, Maureen believes the company’s success lies in something simpler: its people.

“The people here are at the heart of everything we do. That’s what this award is really about - not just business metrics or profitability, but recognising that our team’s well-being is key to our success.” 

With national recognition now under their belt, the DeCare team in Claremorris is looking forward to building on the achievement.

“We’re always looking for ways to do better - to continue supporting our people and delivering great service to our customers,” Maureen said. “This award gives us great encouragement to keep going.”