BADN

BADN launches 2020 salary survey

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, has launched its 2020 Salary Survey.

The Survey is open to all dental nurses, non-members as well as BADN members, to find out how much dental nurses in the UK are being paid, as well as whether they were paid during lockdown. The Survey will provide data to support the BADN’s campaign for recognition of dental nurses’ contribution to oral healthcare in the UK, and for dental nurses working in general dental practice to be paid NHS rates, instead of minimum wage.

BADN invites all dental nurses, but particularly those working in practice, to complete the survey – which is anonymous. Dental nurses completing the Survey will need their P60 for the tax year ending April 2020 – all employees should have received this in April 2020 from their employer.

The Survey can be accessed from the BADN website www.badn.org.uk or via https://cutt.ly/SalarySurvey2020. Closing date is 31 December 2020.

BADN launches monthly coffee catch-ups

BADN, the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, is launching its new monthly “Coffee Catch Ups” for dental nurses.

Held on the last Saturday of every month at 3pm, the Catch Ups are designed to give dental nurses a chance to network, chat with and ask questions of BADN President Jacqui Elsden, Executive Committee members and staff, and to be kept up to date with new developments.

There will also be a guest speaker each month: October’s speaker will be Jennifer da Silva of Parliament Hill, providers of “BADN Rewards”, BADN’s membership benefits scheme. Jennifer will outline the benefits available under the scheme, and how to make best use of them – it is estimated that BADN members can, with judicious use of the Rewards scheme, save around £538.74* per year.

November’s speaker will be Sharon Brennan, of CFC Underwriters, providers of BADN’s indemnity scheme. Sharon will speak on what indemnity actually is, why dental nurses need it, the different kinds of indemnity available, and current market conditions.

The December Catch Up – on the last Saturday before Christmas – will feature motivational speaker and teambuilding guru Tracy Stuart on team archetypes.

“We felt there was a need for a forum where dental nurses could talk to each other – and to us, receive updated accurate information…. And perhaps have a little fun!” said President Jacqui Elsden. “These are difficult times for everyone, and there is still so much misinformation circulating. Dental nurses need a safe place where they can find out factual information, in an informal setting. Although there will be a serious element to the Catch Ups, we are also hoping to create an environment where dental nurses can relax and enjoy themselves amongst colleagues, so we would encourage attendees to come dressed up (particularly for the October and December events). We are also planning a few ad hoc competitions, quizzes and so on.”

The Catch Up events are open to all dental nurses and are free of charge; however places are limited. For more information, and to book a place, go to www.badn.org.uk or contact events@badn.org.uk.

Leading dental professor warns of potential dental nurse redundancies

A leading dental professor has voiced concerns around a potential wave of possible dental nurse jobs being put at risk as the profession continues to be plagued by financial uncertainty. Professor Phil Taylor, Dean of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd)’s Faculty of Dental Surgery, has warned that many dental practices may be forced to cut jobs due to current restrictions imposed on them as a result of the pandemic particularly with them being able to see less patients.

Professor Taylor said: “Many dental nurses have been furloughed during the pandemic and with the Job Retention Scheme due to finish at the end of the month, we are in real danger of seeing these positions under threat. The tight restrictions on how many patients can be seen in a day has resulted in practices potentially needing less staff, and many have had to make tough decisions in order to survive financially.

“Dental nurses play a vital role in the dental profession and are an essential part of the team. It is of the utmost importance that we ensure they are supported through this period. For those who are returning to work, they need better support from the UK Government as well as the NHS as they adjust to new regulations, PPE and AGP procedures.”

Jacqui Elsden, President of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, said: “Many dental nurses in NHS and mixed practices have not been paid their full, if any, salaries since March, despite the employing practices having received their NHS funding.

“Even when they are paid, dental nurses working in NHS practices are not regarded by the NHS as NHS employees – and are therefore denied access to NHS pensions and other benefits; nor are they paid according to NHS scales, but are often only paid minimum wage, despite the fact that they have to pay the GDC ARF, as well as indemnity and CPD costs. 

“This is why BADN have launched a campaign for recognition of dental nurses, their contribution to oral healthcare and their vital role in the dental team.  We encourage all dental nurses, and other members of the dental team, to lobby their MPs – a template letter is available on the BADN website.  BADN membership fees have been lowered to allow dental nurses access to the advice and support BADN offers, as well as a wide range of money saving options through our Rewards scheme – even more necessary during these difficult times.”

The leading surgical college has previously warned that the current restrictions on dental practices could lead to the collapse of NHS dentistry in Scotland with practices forced to become private-only in order to survive the pandemic. 

To find out more about the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, go to https://www.rcsed.ac.uk and to find out more about the British Association of Dental Nurses or to download the template lobby letter visit, www.badn.org.uk or contact enquiries@badn.org.uk.

Janet Goodwin, RDN BA(Hons) FFGDP(UK) FBADN, passes away

It is with great sadness that the BADN has announced the death of Janet Goodwin at her home in Blackpool on Monday 28th September, after a long battle with breast cancer.

Janet began working in dentistry in 1971, and worked in general practice, community, dental hospitals and further education, including roles as Nurse Manager at Leeds Dental Institute and Qualifications Manager at NEBDN, for whom she also volunteered as an examiner and as Chairman – only the second dental nurse to be Chair of NEBDN.  She was also a Past President of the Oral Health Foundation, was the first dental nurse to be a member of the  General Dental Council  and a past Chair of its Standards Review Group, as well as a former Governing Body member of Nugent Care Charity in Liverpool, and a development manager for the Strategic Health Authority.  She consulted on management and educational projects with City & Guilds as Chief Examiner, and with Dental Team Qualification in the development and delivery of DCP programmes. 

Janet was a long time supporter of the BADN, having received her 25+ years membership brooch at the 2018 National Dental Nursing Conference from President Hazel Coey, who described Janet as “A true plain speaking lass, who raised the bar for all of us dental nurses, and fought for our true value to be recognised. She was always cheerful and had a cheeky sense of humour….always made us laugh! A true support and voice for dental nurses”.

Janet was also a recipient of the BADN Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing Award, a BADN Fellow and an Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK). Janet was an Affiliate of FGDP(UK) and had long served as a representative of the wider dental team, as a dedicated observer on the Board and a contributor to many standing committees, as well as Chair of the DCP Committee.

“Janet will be greatly missed” said BADN President Jacqui Elsden “both in dental nursing and in dentistry at large.  She was a great advocate for the dental nursing profession, particularly for dental nurse education, and for oral healthcare in this country.  On behalf of all BADN members, I send our sincere condolences to her husband David and family.”

BADN offers members free access to the Health e-Hub app and online portal from Health Assured to support mental wellbeing

Balancing everyday life together with the requirements of work and home can create pressures for all of us, particularly in these challenging times. Members of the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) have free access to the Health e-Hub app and online portal from Health Assured, the UK and Ireland’s largest employee assistance programme (EAP) provider. Health Assured’s wellbeing resources help BADN members overcome life’s mental, and other, wellbeing challenges.

Through the Health e-Hub app and online portal, BADN members can access:

  • Wellbeing resources – Webinars, factsheets, articles, videos and guides on a range of topics, including: resilience at work, nutrition, stress management, being creative and open communication.
  • 4-week self-help programmes – the 4-week programmes are designed to help  through those small but important lifestyle changes. Covering everything from improving  exercise routines to changing habits such as smoking and caffeine consumption.
  • Online health checks – Improve sleep, review  alcohol consumption, check  anxiety levels and reduce  fatigue with our user-friendly online health checks.
  • Available on both iOS and Android, there are videos, guides, and webinars for BADN members to use whenever they need them—no matter where they are in the world.

Through Health Assured, BADN members can also access a free 24/7, 365 confidential helpline, putting them in touch with qualified counsellors and advisors who will be able to support them with counselling support, legal guidance, bereavement support and medical information. 

BADN members can  access  the Health e-Hub app, online portal and support services through  BADN Rewards in the members area of the BADN website www.badn.org.uk, and is available to all current members.  Full Membership is currently just £30 (for Registered Dental Nurses), Student Associate membership £10.  Associate membership is also available for retired, former and overseas dental nurses.

BADN welcomes BSA survey on pay concerns

The British Association of Dental Nurses, the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, welcomes the survey by the NHS Business Services Authority on pay concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic in England.

As the introduction to the survey states “The expectation from NHS England & NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) during the Covid-19 pandemic is practice owners are required to ensure that all staff including associates, non-clinical and others are continued to be paid at previous levels prior to the pandemic.”

This expectation was also made clear in the various Letters published by the Office of the CDO England during the lockdown period.

However, many dental nurses were not paid at all during the March-July lockdown period; many were forced by their employers to take annual or unpaid leave for the whole period; and some who were paid are now being told they have to pay it back or work unpaid.  “There are innumerable variations on employers not having paid their dental nurses ‘at previous levels prior to the pandemic’” said BADN President Jacqui Elsden.  “Many decent employers, who have done the right thing by their dental nurse employees, find it hard to believe that some employers have behaved in such an unethical and unprofessional manner towards the lowest paid members of the dental team.  We are delighted that, after much lobbying of the OCDO and NHS England by BADN, the BSA is conducting this survey to discover the extent of the problem.  We hope that similar steps will be taken by the other three home nations.”

Dental nurses working in NHS or mixed practices who have not been paid their usual salaries during the pandemic can complete the survey here.

Mixed practices were able to furlough an appropriate number of staff proportionate to their private practice.  This survey is for those dental nurses working in mixed practices who were not furloughed.

BADN celebrates 80 years of supporting dental nurses with Virtual Afternoon Tea

BADN, the UK’s professional association for dental nurses, celebrates 80 years of supporting dental nurses in 2020 – but its planned celebrations had to be put on hold because of the Covid pandemic.

“We had several events planned,” said BADN President Jacqui Elsden, “but these have all – including the Anniversary Afternoon Tea at the NEC Hilton in May – had to be postponed.

“However, dental nurses are resilient and resourceful – so we decided to hold a “virtual” afternoon tea via Zoom, where we could “present” our long service badges and also the 2020 BADN Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing Professional Practice Award.”

Almost 100 dental nurses who signed up for the Tea were sent a box containing a commemorative booklet on afternoon tea, teabags and a chocolate brownie with the BADN logo from EatMyLogo.

Guests were able to participate in two competitions – an online Quiz, organized and hosted by BADN’s Adam Skalski where guests were able to answer questions via a downloaded phone app, won by Rebecca Silver who received an £80 voucher for afternoontea.co.uk;  and a baking competition won by Sasha Twyford.

Long service membership badges were presented to Sherilee Bannerjee (25 years), Linda Day (20 years), Mandy Sheraton (15 years), Michelle Hesp (10 years), Katie Joyce and Sarah Sexton (5 years).  The 2020 BADN Outstanding Contribution to Dental Nursing Professional Practice Award was presented to Dr Debbie Reed, who had, the previous day, delivered the webinar hosted by CSM – organisers of The Dentistry Show – on the history of dental nursing.

England CDO Sara Hurley described the Tea as “a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, a celebration of talent and innovation in bringing together an awesome group of women from across the UK. It is an honour and a privilege to be involved with such a dynamic group of individuals.”

BADN would like to thank the sponsors of the Tea – Purple Media for sponsoring the booklet, Blue Orchid Hotels for sponsoring the teabags and Parliament Hill for sponsoring the Quiz prize, and CSM for hosting the pre-Tea webinar.

BADN hopes to be able to hold its AGM and Drinks Reception in central London in early November 2020, depending on circumstances.

BSDHT supports BADN in its call for recognition of dental nurses’ contributions to dentistry

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) thanks the British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) for their support of our campaign to raise awareness and inspire change for chairside dental nurse support to be the accepted norm for all dental hygienists and dental therapists working in clinical practice.

To drive the campaign forward we lend our full support to BADN in their call for dental nurses to be recognised for their contribution to dentistry. Dental nurses are registered dental care professionals and must be recognised as such – by employers, by colleagues and by the NHS. 

BSDHT supports BADN’s call for all dental nurses in general dental practice to be paid a salary which acknowledges not only their invaluable contribution to the dental team but also their training, knowledge and professionalism. This does mean not just minimum wage.  

The NHS should also afford dental nurses working in NHS practices the same rights and benefits as all other NHS employees.

BADN calls for recognition of dental nurses’ contribution to dentistry

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), the professional association for dental nurses in the UK, supports the BSDHT campaign for dental nursing support for hygienists and therapists in clinical practice.  This does, however, raise the question of the number of Registered Dental Nurses necessary to provide such support – and why, despite several thousand student dental nurses qualifying and registering every year, a similar number fail to re-register each July and leave the profession.

As BADN President Jacqui Elsden explains,  “The recent pandemic has served to highlight why there are currently insufficient dental nurses in the UK:

  • Although NHS and mixed practices received their NHS funding as normal – and a condition of that funding was that they continued to pay their staff as normal – many refused to pay their dental nurses in full, leaving them with little or no income.
  • Despite requests from BADN to waive or lower the ARF, or to allow monthly payments to ease the financial burden on dental nurses in particular, the GDC refused to recognise the dire financial plight of the largest registrant group and insisted on full payment of £114 by 31 July. This has led to more than 3,500 dental nurses failing to re-register – having had no income since March, many of them just can’t afford to!

“In addition, dental nurses employed in NHS practices are not considered to be NHS employees and consequently are not afforded the same conditions and benefits as NHS employees.  They are denied access to the NHS pension scheme, are not paid according to NHS salary scales but instead are often paid just minimum wage.  Nor are they issued with NHS ID – and consequently were not recognised as key workers during the lockdown period.

“Despite this, when the NHS called for volunteers to assist on the front line, dental nurses were, I understand, the largest registrant group to volunteer – a fact which has not been acknowledged or recognised by the NHS.  Those dental nurses who did volunteer to assist the NHS during the crisis were unable to get their children into childcare, denied entry into  early morning NHS-reserved supermarket openings, and refused access to the many special services offered to actual NHS employees during the crisis – because the NHS refused to acknowledge them and their contribution!

“Dental nurses are registered dental care professionals and must be recognised as such – by employers, by colleagues and by the NHS.  BADN are calling for all dental nurses in practice to be paid a salary which recognises not only their invaluable contribution to the dental team but also their training, knowledge and professionalism, as well as the financial outgoings required just to be allowed to work as a dental nurse – training costs, registration fees, indemnity cover and CPD costs – not just minimum wage.

“BADN are also calling upon the GDC to lower the ARF for dental nurses – or, at the very least, allow monthly payments in order to ease the financial burden; on the Chief Dental  Officers of the four home nations to recognise and acknowledge the contribution of dental nurses, particularly over the last six months, and to require that NHS practices in receipt of NHS funding during the lockdown period  pay their dental nurses their full salaries for that period or have their funding withdrawn; and on the NHS to accord to dental nurses working in NHS practices the same rights and benefits as NHS employees.

“We hope that other bona fide dental  organisations, and the dental press, will support BADN in this and are consequently sending this release to the following organisations to request statements of support:

  • Association of Dental Administrators and Managers
  • Association of Dental Groups
  • Association of Dental Implantology
  • British Association of Clinical Dental Technology
  • British Association of Cosmetic Dentistry
  • British Association of Dental Therapists
  • British Dental Association
  • British Orthodontic Society
  • British Society of Gerodontology
  • British Society of Paediatric Dentistry
  • British Society of Periodontology & Implant Dentistry
  • British Society of Restorative Dentistry
  • Care Quality Commission
  • Chief Dental Officer England
  • Chief Dental Officer Northern Ireland
  • Chief Dental Officer Scotland
  • Chief Dental Officer Wales
  • COPDEND
  • Dental Laboratories Association (UK)
  • Faculty of Dental Trainers
  • Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK)
  • General Dental Council      
  • Health and Social Care Northern Ireland
  • Healthcare Improvement Scotland
  • Healthcare Inspectorate Wales
  • Health Education England
  • IDA Wales
  • NHS Education for Scotland
  • NHS England and NHS Improvement
  • NHS Scotland
  • NHS Wales
  • Oral Health Foundation
  • Orthodontic National Group              
  • Orthodontic Technicians Association
  • Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority
  • Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
  •  

Fourth instalment of Back to Practice webinar series to provide a historical perspective on dental nursing

The British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show has unveiled the 4th edition of the “Back to Practice” webinar series, a digital platform that continues to deliver free support to dental teams during these uncertain times. 

This latest webinar is aimed at dental nursing staff, with an exciting chance for them to win an exclusive prize courtesy of the BADN.

All registrations by midnight tonight (20th August) for the new webinar “Dental Nursing – A Historic Perspective”  will be entered in to a prize draw to win:
*       Blue Orchid Hotels discounted experience vouchers
*       FREE 1 year membership to the British Association of Dental Nurses
*       Bespoke homemade Chocolate brownies
*       Exclusive BADN merchandise

Five lucky winners will be announced during the live webinar this Friday at 3PM!

Dental Nursing – An Historical Perspective

5 lucky winners will be announced live.

WEBINAR LEARNING OUTCOMES

Produced in partnership with University of Kent and supported by the BADN  the webinar will aim to provide an insight into the history of dental nursing set within the context of the evolution of dentistry.

Learning Outcomes:

*       Throughout history those conducting dentistry have been assisted.
*       Dental nursing has been a recognised occupation since the end of the 1800.
*       The dental nurses have contributed to wider public health initiatives since the early 1900’s.
*       There is a substantial historical archive documentation charting the challenges experienced in establishing dental nursing in the early years.
*       Sound education and training have underpinned dental nurse practice for over 100 years.

Speakers include:

*       Dr Debbie Reed, EdD, MSc, PGCHE, BA(Hons), Cert Ed, FHEA, Chartered MCIPD, GCGI

SIGN UP HERE: http://dentistryshow.msgfocus.com/c/12yx01breAWAVY7jm2xDhOo9x6
This webinar is designed to set Dental Nursing into accurate historical context – tracing Dental Nursing back for at least the past 100 years.

Join the dental community and enjoy free access to our ‘Back to Practice’ resources and webinar series by signing up to our network here: http://dentistryshow.msgfocus.com/c/12yx05aMA1FWqW63xU71DxmLCH