The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, met on 9 February 2024 with representatives of the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) to discuss the recently launched Dental Recovery Plan.

BADN’s Honorary President, Joan Hatchard, and Chief Exec Pam Swain met with DHSC officials to discuss BADN’s concerns that the Plan did not adequately address the current recruitment and retention crisis in dental nursing.

Mrs. Hatchard explained fully  to the DHSC representatives that increasing the number of clinicians, introducing dental vans and oral health programmes and various other schemes outlined in the Plan, just would not be possible without also increasing the number of dental nurses in the NHS.  This involved not only provision for training new dental nurses, but also measures to keep dental nurses in the profession; the recent survey by Dr Debbie Reed showed that many dental nurses were disillusioned by low pay, lack of career development and lack of support and recognition by employers, and were leaving the profession.

Mrs. Hatchard outlined various initial steps towards remedying this:  increasing dental nurse salaries to a realistic level for registered healthcare professionals, tax relief on CPD costs for employees, recognition by the NHS of those dental nurses working in NHS practices giving them access to the benefits enjoyed by NHS staff (salary scales, access to the NHS pension scheme, NHS ID) – leading to a culture change in dentistry whereby dental nurses were recognised as valued members of the dental team and supported by employers.

DHSC officials have agreed to speak at a forthcoming BADN Coffee CatchUp on the Dental Recovery Plan and how it affects dental nurses.  More information will be released in due course inviting dental nurses to register for the Coffee CatchUp.

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, has welcomed the Dental Recovery Plan as “a first step in the right direction” – but says the Plan “does not adequately address the current dental nursing recruitment and retention crisis”.

The Plan includes:

• New programmes to promote oral health
• Deployment of teams to worst areas for oral health/NHS access/dental vans to underserved areas
• “Golden Hello” payments to attract dentists into new areas/Introduction of New “Patient Premium”
• Expansion of dental undergraduate training places by 40%/Expansion of dental therapy and dental hygiene training places by 28% by 2028/9 and by further 40% by 2031/32
• Promotion of therapist-led models of care
• Increase of exam capacity for overseas qualified dentists/streamlining of registration of overseas dentists/make it easier for overseas dental professionals to work in the NHS/exploration of automatic recognition of international qualifications outside the EEA
• Funding/contract reform/UDA uplift

“The Recovery Plan is certainly a starting point” said BADN Honorary President Joan Hatchard.  “But it fails to take into account the fact that increasing the number of dentists/hygienists/therapists requires a similar increase in the number of dental nurses, as clinicians cannot work with dental nurses.  The Plan blithely states that the NHS will also encourage more dental nurses to pursue training programmes – without giving any specific details on how this will be achieved!

“The recent survey carried out by Dr Debbie Reed of the University of Kent, in collaboration with BADN, shows that dental nurses are disillusioned by low salary levels (often only minimum wage), lack of career pathways, lack of recognition and support from their employers and are leaving the profession.  The crisis in dental nurse recruitment and retention can only be resolved if these issues are addressed.

“BADN is happy to work with the appropriate organisations regarding implementation of the Plan, but urges those organisations to bear in mind that dentistry is not just dentists – dental nurses are the largest registrant group and the mainstay of the dental team. Dental nurses, and their needs, must be included in the equation!”

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, is delighted to welcome two new members to the Executive Committee.

At the Association’s Annual General Meeting, held at 55 Broadway, London, Honorary President Joan Hatchard became Honorary President, welcoming welcomed President-elect Preetee Hylton and Treasurer Ruth Garrity to the BADN Executive Committee, and former Treasurer Michelle Brand to the role of Chairman. She also thanked retiring Past President Jacqui Elsden for all her work on behalf of dental nurses and presented her with a bracelet from members of the Executive Committee and Panel of Representatives.

Chairman Michelle Brand, retiring Past President Jacqui Elsden, Honorary President Joan Hatchard, Education Representative Anita Stanforth, President-elect Preetee Hylton

President-elect Preetee Hylton RDN

Preetee obtained her NEBDN National Certificate in Dental Nursing in 2010, followed by her BDA Education Certificate in Dental Radiography in 2013, and then her Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS) qualification in 2015. In 2021, she completed her DDS Treatment Coordinator Programme, and more recently, she achieved her BDA Education Certificate in Oral Health Education.

Currently, Preetee works full-time as a dental nurse and safeguarding lead at a private practice in London. She is actively involved in education and training as she delivers the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Principles and Practice in Dental Nursing. Additionally, she serves as an Associate Examiner for the NEBDN. Preetee’s contributions to the dental community extend beyond her work – she is an editorial board member of the Dental Nursing Journal and regularly authors articles. She has also been featured in Dentistry, BDJ Team, and the Dental Therapy Update. She is also an empowering and dynamic public speaker, addressing topics ranging from negotiation skills for dental nurses to raising awareness about domestic abuse at dental events and conferences.
In the past, she has held roles as a lead dental nurse and receptionist, a practice manager, and a clinical mentor to student dental nurses. As an advocate for continuous learning and professional development, Preetee was an ambassador and the dental nurses’ study club co-director for the International Team for Implantology (UK and Ireland Section) from 2020 to 2022; she was also one of the 4 founding members of this newly created dental nursing community.

Preetee’s dedication and expertise have been recognized through various accolades. She received the Best Dental Nurse award at the DDS Recognition Awards in 2020 and went on to win Best Dental Nurse (South) at the Dentistry Awards in 2021. She was also a finalist at the Private Dentistry Awards in 2022 and was the only practising dental nurse to be included in Dentistry’s Top 50 this year.

Treasurer Ruth Garrity RDN

Ruth began her dental nurse career on a YTS scheme in 1986 in Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales, before following her career aspirations to join the British Army in October 1988, working in various Dental Centres from Tidworth, Colchester, Warminster to warmer climates in Cyprus and colder climates in the Falkland Islands. Following a military career, she has worked in both NHS, private and community settings in Chester and Catterick before returning to work for Defence Primary Healthcare in a civilian role as both a dental nurse in Catterick, Shorncliffe, Omagh, Winchester and Aldershot, and currently a civilian practice manager at Pirbright. She holds NEBDN qualifications in Oral Health Education and Radiography and is a keen dental nurse mentor.

Ruth is the Armed Forces Representative on the BADN Panel of Representatives and is an active member of the Education Committee.

Chairman Michelle Brand RDN BSc MA

Michelle qualified as a dental nurse in 1991, and also holds a BSc in Product Design and Development and an MA in Bioclimactic Design. She is currently a self-employed dental nurse, having previously worked in both general practice and at Manchester Dental Hospital, as a dental technical demonstrator and sales representative, and as an associate lecturer and research assistant at Manchester Metropolitan University. She also ran ger own sustainable design agency whilst working as a dental nurse; and was awarded Arts Council funding to exhibit her work in London and in Hong Kong for a one month artist residency.

Michelle is a member of BADN’s Panel of Representative and of the Pride in Practice Board of Representatives. She received the BADN Exceptional Contribution to a UK Community Oral Health Care Project Award in 2019. She was also a key member in “All I Want for Christmas” project team, providing mobile dental care for the homeless and those in recovery across Blackpool in 2018 and 2019.

Honorary President Joan Hatchard

Joan gained her National Certificate in 1988, and went on to gain post qualification certificates in Oral Health Education, Radiography, and Conscious Sedation. She became the practice manager of two busy private general dental practices and started teaching the National Certificate course in 1989.  She also gained the FAETC and the Certificate in Education (FE), and  holds the City and Guilds Licentiateship in Dental Nursing.   Joan was an examiner on the NEBDN Panel of Examiners for the National Diploma and the Certificate in Oral Health Education. In recent years Joan has held positions on Council, first as the Chair of BADN Practice Managers’ and Receptionists’ National Group, and then Acting Chairman, and Treasurer. Joan is a BADN Fellow and received the 2013 BADN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing. 

Also at the AGM, Rebecca Silver received her certificate of BADN Fellowship, as well as her 10 year membership badge.  Rebecca was also presented with her FMC Dental Nurse of the Year London Award by President-elect Preetee Hylton.  The Honorary President also presented retiring Past President Jacqui Elsden with a bracelet from members of the Executive Committee and Panel of Representatives.

At their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held today in London, members of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, voted to allow non-clinical practice managers and receptionists to join as Associate Members.

This means that practice managers and receptionists will be able take advantage of the many benefits conferred by membership of BADN:  access to the members-only area of the website www.badn.org.uk with information and advice, to the quarterly digital “British Dental Nurses’ Journal”, to the Legal Helpline, the Health & Wellness Hub with counselling/support helpline, and to BADN Rewards – which offers a wide range of special offers and discounts on shopping, insurance, lifestyle, travel and much more.  The BADN Rewards scheme can save members on average up to £469.97 a year*.

BADN Associate Membership currently costs £30 per year.  Practice managers and receptionists who are also Registered Dental Nurses have always been eligible for Full Membership; but from 1 December 2023, those who are non-clinical will be eligible for Associate Membership.

BADN Honorary President Joan Hatchard said “We felt that the time was right to allow managers and receptionists to join BADN as Associate Members and take advantage of the many benefits of membership. We look forward to welcoming them to BADN and I hope to meet as many members of the dental team as possible during my year as BADN Honorary President.”

Practice managers and receptionists wishing to join BADN can do so at www.badn.org.uk/join.

*Terms and conditions apply to all benefits. See website for details. Offers subject to change without notice. Savings Calculator - This average member saving is based on a sample of 466 savings calculator entries since 01/01/2013 with repeated entries and the top 20% removed. The average saving figure is correct as of 22/11/2023. Potential savings generated from the calculator are not guaranteed, and are based on you using specific benefits.   BADN Rewards is managed and run on behalf of BADN by Parliament Hill Ltd.

The Report of a recent Survey, undertaken by Dr Debbie Reed of the University of Kent and supported by the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, BADN, is now available for download via ResearchGate.

Scan QR code:

“It has been a pleasure to work with the UK’s Registered Dental Nurses (RDNs) and BADN to produce the DN UK Retention Survey 2023 Report” said Dr Reed, a Registered Dental Nurse herself, former BADN Chairman, and Chair of the College of General Dentistry’s (CGDent) Dental Nursing and Orthodontic Therapy Faculty Board. “The document presents the findings from the survey carried out between January and March 2023. The survey is believed to be the first comprehensive survey solely focused on DN retention in the UK. The report has been made freely available for those who wish to draw upon the data. It is hoped the report will make a significant contribution to the discourse related to dental nurses (and other dental professional) workforce retention.”

Current BADN Chair Joan Hatchard said “As the professional association for dental nurses in the UK, BADN were delighted to work with Dr Debbie Reed on this survey. Finally, we have reliable data on this issue obtained through an ethically approved, methodologically sound research approach which can be used to inform decisions relevant to the dental nurse workforce.

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, is delighted to announce that Jacek (Jack) Drozdek BSc has taken over the role of IT & Communications Admin at BADN’s head office in Thornton-Cleveleys.

Originally from Radomsko in Poland, Jacek relocated to the United Kingdom in 2006. Alongside his employment in the United Kingdom, he pursued education at Blackpool & Fylde College, where he initially obtained a BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT (QCF). However, recognising that this qualification did not align with his ambitious goals, he embarked on a journey to earn a BSc (Hons) in Network Engineering (Systems Administration), ultimately achieving a first-class honours degree.  Jacek lives in Blackpool with his wife and two children.

Jacek has taken over the role of IT & Comms Admin from Adam Skalski, and will be responsible for the Association’s website and CRM system, digital communications, social media, e-newsletters (https://www.badn.org.uk/newsletter) and BADN’s Refer A Colleague Scheme (https://www.badn.org.uk/referacolleague).  Reporting to the Chief Executive, he will also assist her in the planning, organisation and management of BADN events and accompany her on the BADN stand at various dental exhibitions.  Jacek will be on the BADN stand B29 at the Dentistry Show London at ExCel on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October 2023.

Jacek can be contacted at jacek@badn.org.uk or on 01253 338364.

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, has launched an app.

The app will be available for both iOS and Android and will serve as BADN’s hub for content, collaboration and events all year round. Members will have access to dedicated news feeds and forums, a member directory with in-app messaging, event registration and easy renewal of membership. In addition, non-members can also use the app with limited access to reading news or exploring upcoming events.

Features include:

• Dynamic News Feed: Stay up-to-date with industry news and trends
• Seamless Networking: Connect with peers effortlessly through the member directory and build strong relationships
• Meaningful Conversations: Engage in conversations that matter through in-app messaging
• Forum: Take part in discussions and share knowledge with other like-minded dental nurses nationwide
• Membership Management: Manage membership renewals with ease and access all membership benefits without ever leaving the app
• Resource Library: An extensive hub of educational materials and resources for professional growth

The BADN app is now available for download on both the Apple Store and Google Play. Current BADN members can then log in using the same user name and password as for their BADN member account on the website.

Apple Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/badn/id6453682869

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clowder.badn