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.

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“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

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, is today launching its Wellbeing Survey.

The survey will collate basic information on dental nurses’ wellbeing and mental health with a view to better tailoring  services provided by BADN to members’ needs.  The information may also be used in the writing of articles on the subject for the dental press, to higlight this very important issue.

All responses will remain confidential and any information used in articles will be anonymised.

All dental nurses – Registered Dental Nurses and student dental nurses, whether BADN members or not – are invited to participate in the survey, which may be found at www.badn.org.uk/wellbeingsurvey  until 31 August 2023.

BADN members can access the Health & Wellbeing Hub – which contains information on physical, mental and financial wellbeing, as well as a counselling/support helpline – via the members area of the BADN website www.badn.org.uk. Dental nurses who are not yet members of their professional association may join now at www.badn.org.uk/join.

Dental nurses attending the Dentistry Show London on 6-7 October 2023 receive a 10% discount off the flexible, best available rates at any of Blue Orchid’s four London hotels through BADN membership.

Tower Residences and Tower Suites, the nearest Blue Orchid properties to ExCel, overlook Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, and are only minutes away from the Tower Gateway station for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) straight to ExCel, as well as the Circle, District and Metropolitan Tube lines.  They are also close to St Katherine’s Dock with bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets.

The Wellington and The Rochester hotels are situated in Westminster’s leafy Vincent Square, close to Victoria, St James’s Park and Westminster stations (Central/District lines to Tower Gateway for the DLR to ExCel), and within walking distance of Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye and St James’s Park.

Dental nurses (and their practice colleagues) spending  the weekend in London to visit the Dentistry Show London (www.london.dentistryshow.co.uk) can take advantage of this 10% discount off the flexible, best available rates at Blue Orchid London hotels via the members’ area of www.badn.org.uk. 

Tony Matharu, founder and Chairman of Blue Orchid Hosipitality commented: “At Blue Orchid Hospitality we believe in partnership working and collaboration with our preferred partners enjoying unrivalled terms, ensuring that BADN members enjoy facilities and services now ranked as some of the very best in the world. With the 273 elegant suites at Tower Suites – each offering independent living with fully equipped kitchens and lounges together with luxurious bathrooms and sumptuous bedrooms, and unrivalled bars, restaurants and leisure facilities, or the newly opened Tower Residences, offering 32 stunning apartments – providing spectacular accommodation in a wonderful location, BADN members can enjoy the very best that London can offer – ideal for families or those travelling with colleagues.”

Not yet a BADN member?  Join now at www.badn.org.uk/join to benefit from this offer – and a wide range of other discounts and special offers from BADN Rewards, the quarterly digital British Dental Nurses’ Journal with free CPD, tthe Legal Helpline, the Health & Wellness Hub with counselling/support helpline, special member-rate indemnity cover and much more!  Research shows that BADN members can save up to £459.95 a year using BADN Rewards – membership currently costs £40 a year for Full Membership (less than £1 a week!) and £10 a year for Student Membership.

The UK’s professional association for dental nurses, the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), and the Oral Health Foundation (OHF) are very excited to introduce the Janet Goodwin Educational Grant, a financial award, to help dental nurses achieve their full potential, through education and dental qualifications.

Student dental nurses who are funding their dental nursing examinations themselves can apply for the bursary to help cover course and examination fees – up to £500*.  Registered Dental Nurses wishing to further their dental nursing careers by taking extended duties courses, but who are being held back financially may also apply for the grant. Courses include:

• Oral health education
• Dental radiography
• Dental implant nursing
• Orthodontic dental nursing
• Dental sedation nursing
• Fluoride varnish application
• Special care dental nursing
• Impression taking

As a bonus, the successful applicants will each receive a signed copy of Tits Up – a wonderful and insightful book by Carol Paterson, a friend of Janet’s who organised the Blackpool dental days for the homeless and those in recovery with her, about her journey through breast cancer – the disease that ultimately took Janet Goodwin’s life.

Visit www.dentalhealth.org/janetgoodwingrant to find out more about the grant, the criteria, and to complete the application form.

Applications close on 17 August 2023.

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, is delighted to announce that current Chairman Joan Hatchard will be taking on the role of Honorary President from the 2023 Annual General Meeting for the remainder of the recently vacated 2022-24 Presidential term.

Joan gained her National Certificate in 1988 and went on to gain post-qualification certificates in Oral Health Education, Radiography, and Conscious Sedation, becoming the practice manager of two busy private general dental practices. Joan 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 for a number of years on the NEBDN Panel of Examiners for the National Diploma and the Certificate in Oral Health Education. She has held positions on BADN Council, first as the Chair of BADN Practice Managers’ and Receptionists’ National Group, and then as Finance Officer.  More recently, she has been a member of the BADN Executive Committee, as Treasurer and then Chairman.  Joan is a BADN Fellow and received the 2013 BADN Award for Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing. 

BADN Immediate Past President Jacqui Elsden said, “We felt it would not be fair to ask whoever is elected President for the 2024-26 term of office to take on the role of President a year early, without the benefit of their year as President-elect. We are very grateful to Joan for agreeing to take on the role of Honorary President for the year 2023-2024.  The duties of the President will, until the 2023 AGM, be undertaken by members of the BADN Executive Committee.”

The UK’s professional association for dental nurses, the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), has announced that Debra Worthington, who took up the role of President in November 2022, has stepped down.

“The BADN Executive Committee fully supports Debra’s decision,” said BADN Chairman Joan Hatchard LCGI FBADN. “The duties of the President will, for the time being, be carried out by members of the Executive Committee and the Panel of Representatives, assisted by the Chief Executive and the BADN head office staff.

“BADN remains fully committed to supporting the UK’s dental nurses and the dental nursing profession.”

CleanCert Hygiene is conducting a nationwide Dental Survey to provide an insight into the challenges of dental decontamination for all dental professionals.

Working in collaboration with The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) and Dentaid The Dental Charity, the survey will bring together opinions and experiences from all dental professionals with the aim of improving patient treatment outcomes.

The survey should only take 4-6 minutes. Participants will be emailed with a summary of the findings and be in with a chance of receiving one of the £100 Amazon vouchers. Refer a friend to be in with more chances of winning!

Survey closes 28 May 2023.

Start the survey here.