Benco Dental Recognized for Healthy Workplace

WILKES-BARRE – (September 16, 2010). Benco Dental, the nation’s fastest-growing distributor of dental supplies, equipment and consulting services, was honored by the Greater Wilkes-Barre (PA) Chamber of Commerce for promoting and sustaining a healthy workplace environment.

The Chamber’s annual Healthy Workplace Awards are in recognition of local companies which organize and execute programs and initiatives to help employees lead a healthy lifestyle both in and out of work. Benco Dental holds countless health-focused programs annually including smoking cessation classes, Zumba fitness sessions, healthy food options in the company cafeteria, walking programs, lifeline screenings, hearing tests, massages and blood drives, among many others.

Benco Dental received its award on Thursday September 16 as part of an event sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Healthcare system at the Best Western Genetti Hotel and Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre. The awards, presented to Benco Dental and just one other large local company, were sponsored by BlueCross of NEPA and Chamber Choice.

In the photo above, pictured left to right: Tom Leighton (Wilkes Barre Mayor), Dr. Nina Taggart (Blue Cross of NEPA), Jennifer Kalie (Benco Dental Culture & People Department), Deb Hammaker (Benco Dental Culture & People Department), Michelle Kovaleski (Benco Dental Culture & People Department), Ellen Tosh (Benco Dental Culture & People Manager), Rebecca Clouse (Benco Dental Culture & People Department), David Payne Jr. (Chairman of the Wilkes Barre Chamber of Commerce).

Benco Dental Named One of Pennsylvania's Best Places to Work

For the Seventh Time in Eight Years, Benco Dental is Named One of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania

Based on associate surveys, Benco Dental remains one of state’s top large employers.

PITTSTON, PA – Benco Dental has been named one of the Best Places to Work in PA for 2010; this marks the seventh time in eight years that Benco Dental has received this recognition. The Best Places to Work in PA program solicits surveys from participating companies’ associates and compiles the results prior to assembling the final rankings. Benco Dental will be recognized at the Best Places to Work in PA evening awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 30, 2010, at the Lancaster County Convention Center in Lancaster, PA. Rankings will be revealed at the ceremony, and tickets may be purchased online at www.centralpennbusiness.com/events.

The awards program, created in 2000, is one of the first statewide programs of its kind in the country. The program is a public/private partnership between Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and the Central Penn Business Journal. This survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places to be employed in Pennsylvania, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

In the past, employers were categorized based upon the number of employees they had in Pennsylvania. This year, employers were categorized based upon the total number of employees they have in the United States. This change was made to ensure the proper alignment of organizations and to avoid naming large national employers to the small/medium list simply because they have fewer employees based in Pennsylvania. This change did not have any impact on which organizations made the list, just how they were categorized.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Have at least 25 employees in Pennsylvania;
• Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business;
• Be a publicly or privately held business;
• Have a facility in Pennsylvania; and
• Be in good standing with Commonwealth agencies under the Governor’s jurisdiction.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the 100 Best Places to Work in PA. The first part of this process was evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophies, systems and demographics, accounting for approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience, making up approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process.

In addition to the public/private partnership, the program is supported by the following organizations: Lead Sponsor—Team Pennsylvania Foundation; Presenting Sponsor—ParenteBeard, LLC; Major Sponsors—Capital BlueCross; E.K. McConkey & Co., Inc.; Penn State, Smeal College of Business; Saul Ewing; and Supporting Sponsor—Arcus.

For more information on Best Places to Work in PA, visit www.bestplacestoworkinpa.com.