The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, yesterday (Tuesday 10 March 2026) met with Stephen Kinnock MP, the Minister of State for Care.
Ruth Garrity RDN, BADN Chairman and General Secretary, and Pam Swain MBE, BADN Chief Exec, together with Roy Rickhuss CBE, General Secretary of Community Union, met with Mr. Kinnock to discuss dental nurses, and the issues facing the dental nursing profession.
Their discussion covered, amongst other subjects, the dental nurse retention crisis, dental nurse remuneration, the role of the dental nurse, the Government’s future plans for dentistry, the need for both cultural and structural change within dentistry and the Employment Rights Act 2025, most of which comes into effect in April 2026.
“I was delighted” said Ruth Garrity “to note that the Minister stated quite clearly that this Government realises that dentistry is not just about dentists, but about other members of the dental team also and are prepared to meet with organisations representing those dental team members rather than just dentists’ representatives. It was a very enlightening and informative meeting and I look forward to working together with Community at future meetings to discuss the development of the dental nursing profession with the Minister.”
