“We take huge pride in making sure that our patients and staff are well looked after,” he said.

Dr Williams started his first business at 15, teaching music at primary schools.

“Over 10 years this grew to cover multiple schools with about six staff members,” he said. “I’ve always loved the idea of working with people.”

In 2012 he bought Colin Pateman’s Dental Surgery at 4/164 Beardy Street, Armidale, and has transformed it into White Leaf Dental after moving from Sydney to Armidale at the end of 2015. He was joined by Dr Sara Stockham as a half owner in 2016.

The core values that drive the business are providing the best care (including accessibility and a wide range of treatments), creating a great work environment for staff and raising awareness about oral health and teaching dental students.

“Our patients get the very best of care,” he said. “This goes beyond having access to the best technologies and treatments, and includes every aspect of a patient’s contact with our practice.

“We have increased our opening hours and are open on Saturdays and have a second practice in Walcha and have increased the range of treatments available so our patients don’t have to travel to Sydney or Brisbane for specialist appointments.

“We want our staff to have an amazing career. We spend a large percentage of our budget on staff training and development. We visit schools and other groups to raise awareness about oral health. Sara and I are both actively engaged in teaching dental students and practicing dentists.”

The pair regularly do charity work, most recently in an orphanage and disadvantaged school in Vietnam.

Dr Williams said they have invested more than $1.5 million into White Leaf Dental over the past 12 months, without raising prices.

“In fact, our prices are the same as from before I purchased the practice two years ago,” he said.

“We have no plans to increase our prices despite our significantly increased operating costs because we want to help people get to the dentist regularly.”

He said the business awards had taken them “completely by surprise”.

“We were not expecting this and are humbled by the experience.”