BADN celebrates 85 years with 85 names

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association and independent trade union for dental nurses, today celebrates 85 years of supporting dental nurses and the dental nursing profession.

BADN is marking the occasion of its 85^th anniversary with a list of 85 names – people who have supported the Association and the dental nursing profession over the last 85 years.  Not all of the names are dental nurses – some are dentists who have been particularly supportive; some are non-registrants who have supported dental nurses and the Association in some meaningful way.

“We are very mindful of the debt of gratitude we owe to those who are no longer with us,” said BADN Chief Exec Pam Swain MBE, who has worked for the Association since 1992. “Philip Grundy, Madeleine Winter, Jean Smith, Muriel Callis, Dame Margaret Seward and, more recently, Janet Goodwin, amongst many others, who supported dental nurses over the last 85 years and made  BADN the vibrant, supportive Association dental nurses rely on.”

“As BADN celebrates 85 years” said BADN President Preetee Hylton “it is wonderful to honour 85 individuals whose dedication and commitment has helped shape dental nursing in the UK. From those who laid the foundations to the new generation embracing digital innovation and finding their voice, every contribution has strengthened our profession. I am incredibly proud to see how resilient, adaptable, and committed dental nurses continue to be, supporting one another and driving the profession forward.”

BADN began life as the Dental Nurses’ & Assistants’ Society of Great Britain in 1940 after a Leyland dentist, Philip Grundy, learned of a similar association in the US from a US airman stationed at a nearby air base.  He and his dental surgery assistant, Madeleine “Bunty” Winter, set up and developed the Society during the war years, and in 1946 a full time General Secretary was appointed.  In 1948, Jean Smith was appointed and remained in post until 1985.  Until 1950, all Presidents  were male dentists but, in 1950, Beatrice Green was appointed the first DSA President.  In 1976, the Association became an independent trade union – meaning that its officers have to be nominated and elected by its members, and that its finances have to be independently audited each year, submitted to the Certification Office and published; the only dental professional association, apart from the BDA, to have this status.

The Society became the Association of British Dental Surgery Assistants (ABDSA) during the years when the title Dental Surgery Assistant (DSA) was in use; and in 1994, became the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), following the Association’s decision to reclaim the title “dental nurse”.

In 1943, the association founded the British Dental Nurses and Assistants Examining Board and the first examination was held.  Only dentists were allowed to be examiners, but in 1978 the Examining Board changed its rules to allow DSAs  with 7 years’ experience to be elected to the Panel.  The Examining Board became a completely separate entity in the 1980s; changed its name in 1988 to the National Examining Board for DSAs (NEBDSA) and then again in 1994 to the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN).

A full list is available below; more information may be obtained on the BADN website www.badn.org.uk.