Jane Dalgarno, who is Clinical Workforce Development Lead for Community Dental Services CIC (CDS), has become the first elected Council representative of the College of General Dentistry’s Faculty of Dental Nursing & Orthodontic Therapy (FDNOT).
A priority for CDS is supporting the oral health needs of vulnerable patients to ensure they get the best possible care, underpinned by new technologies and innovation. An organisation with a commitment to lifelong learning and professional development for the whole dental team, Jane, develops and delivers National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) accredited training programmes covering areas such as sedation, to the dental workforce. She also provides and facilitates mentoring support for CDS employees, in training; those moving into education and management; and individuals on placement from Northampton University. Jane is supporting CDS with developing its mentoring programme.
A registered dental nurse with 38 years of experience, almost 30 years of which have been working within community dental services, Jane holds a number of qualifications, including: Certificates in Education, Oral Health Education, Sedation and Dental Radiography, as well as the City & Guilds A1/A2 assessors award, a BSc in Primary Dental Care and an MSc in Advanced and Specialist Healthcare (Applied Dental Professional Practice) from the University of Kent.
Speaking of her newly elected position on the Council of the College of General Dentistry, Jane said: “I am incredibly proud to have been elected to this role and look forward to representing the DN&OT Faculty, as well as the interests of the whole dental team. I have devoted my career to enhancing the learning of dental care professionals and this will give me even greater scope to advocate for training and career pathways that will really enhance patient care.”
Dr Adrian Thorp, Clinical Director for CDS welcomed the news: “I am excited that Jane has been elected to the College Council. With her years of experience in the profession she understands that education of the whole workforce is required to enhance the care we can bring to the patients we see at CDS, and this education underpins the ethos of skill mix and prudent health care. I am confident that she will be an advocate for both the profession and its patients. The College has structured career pathways to support professional progression, something which I know Jane is passionate about and I support too.”
Jane’s held positions also include:
- Past President of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) 2015-2017, and past Chair of the BADN Executive Committee.
- Jane is currently Deputy Chair of BADN’s Education Committee and represents community dentistry on BADN’s Panel of Representatives.
- Subject Matter Expert and Examiner for the NEBDN.
- Past Programme Director for HEE Foundation Degree in Advanced Dental Nursing Programme working in collaboration with the University of Kent and Mid Kent College.
The College of General Dentistry is the first and only membership college wholly focussed on the future of primary care dentistry. Serving the public and patient interests in oral health care, it sets standards for the profession, defines career pathways and leads thought for the future of dentistry.
Jane attended her first face-to-face council meeting on 21st June in London, where she was formally inducted onto the council.
