Dental Nurse Forum a resounding success!
NewsPosted by: Dental Design 15th June 2018
The Dentistry Show’s Dental Nurse Forum, supported and chaired by BADN, on 18-19 May at the NEC was a resounding success with outstanding speakers on subjects ranging from head and neck cancer to volunteering opportunities for dental nurses.
Carole Houston of Horizon Blackpool told Forum attendees about the Oral Healthcare Day held last November in Blackpool – and co-organised by Horizon, BADN and the Oral Health Foundation – offering dental treatment to those in recovery from drug/alcohol addiction.
Dental care on the Day had been provided by Dentaid volunteers and the presentation following this was an overview by BADN of the various volunteering opportunities available to dental nurses. The charities highlighted were: Burmadent, Bridge2Aid, Dentaid, Dental Mavericks, and Mercy Ships.
In this presentation, I looked at where the various charities worked – here and abroad – what they are looking for in volunteer dental nurses, what is required of the volunteer dental nurses and how to contact each charity to offer one’s services. Chris Curtis, of Blackpool- based head and neck cancer charity, The Swallows, spoke on his personal journey from cancer patient to the Palace in six years and the charity’s work on behalf of head and neck cancer patients.
UCL’s Isis Bouffonge opened Saturday’s programme with her presentation on effective implant dental nursing, and was followed by Katie Kerr of HEE Thames Valley and Wessex and Waterpik’s Deborah M Lyle, who spoke twice at the Forum.
Despite fears that the combination of a Royal Wedding and the FA Cup Final would tempt dental professionals to stay at home on the Saturday, the BADN stand opposite the Forum continued to be as busy as it had been on the Friday, with a constant stream of dental nurses joining their professional association. Adam and I, with help from Parliament Hill’s Jennifer da Silva, signed up a record number of new members.
And, finally, congratulations to BADN member and National Dental Nursing Conference habituée, Rebecca Silver on winning Dental Nurse of the Year South at the Dental Awards held alongside the Dentistry Show on Friday 18 May.
Congratulations also to Joanne Speight, who unfortunately was not able to attend to accept her award as Dental Nurse of the Year North and Central, and all the other winners.
BADN was delighted to work with Show organisers Closer Still Media in co-organising and chairing the Dental Nurse Forum. Thanks to all the speakers and everyone else involved and congratulations on a very successful show!
