Whilst 2021 has been another challenging year, there have also been some real positivity and examples of team work. The Society has continued to collaborate with other professional groups and stakeholders and strengthened the international working. The End Of Year News Roundup certainly gives you a flavour of our work and to finish the full greetings from many of our new ambassadors.
Leah Padfield-Wales Division This year has not been easy, with constant changes and updates made to COVID19 Protocols and procedures we come to the end of the year perhaps feeling overwhelmed and exhausted and looking forward, now more than ever to a well earned break over the Christmas period to rest and recharge our batteries, ready to start another year. True there have been some highlights for our dental team, with weddings, new arrivals into the world, but there have been some lows and I am sure we aren’t the only dental practice in Wales, or in fact the UK to say we have faced some challenges in 2021. This has perhaps been through staff shortages due to illness, or managing patients expectations with fee increases and more, it takes its toll on the whole team.
For myself 2021 has been a year of personal growth and as a dental nurse, with the completion of the radiography course with the examination in early 2022. I have also been privilaged to work alongside and support the foundation dentist in the team, which has been a privilage. I am delighted to announce that Wales has introduced 2 Wales specific qualifications in dental nursing, the level 3 and the level 4 in conjunction with Bangor University and Agored Cymru.
I am honoured to be representing the Society as part of the Wales Division and look forward to everything dentistry brings myself and dentistry in 2022. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Fran Robson – North East Ambassador Well what a whirl wind of a year we have had! The impact of COVID19 has had on everyone and especially those of us in dentistry has bee phenonmenal. Here is hoping 2022 is much brighter for everyone.
For me 2021 has been a year of growth. Not only in my career, but on a personal level. I became the North East Ambassador for the Society and have met some truly wonderful peopl. I have connected with so many of you on social media and it is amazing to be surrounded by like minded people who truly love what they do. Dentistry always has and always will continue to be a huge part of my life.
The practice has been super busy of late, as we all have! New SOPs, new guidance, CDO Updates. It really has been a lot to take in and to guide my team forward in the ever changing cirumstances. But as we all know, we are the most versitile and adaptable teams in the healthcare profession and that is something we shold all be proud of.
In the New Year I look forward to completing my my Implant Nursing course. Every year I set myself a goal, which keeps me focused and driven. I hope there is something you are all working on, either for your own reasons or to grow yourselves professionally and continue to grow yourselves professionally and continue to have a great career in dental nursing. Remember you are never just a dental nurse, you are so much more than that and that is something that we shall continue to stive for in gaining dental nurses more recognition and hopefully expand our roles in the future.
Watch this space! The Society continues to work behind the scenes in bringing you all up to date information and event planning for the year ahead. Maybe this is something we can bring to the North East! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and enjoy the well earned break.
Nicola McIntosh -Scottish Division It has been a very busy but enjoyable year. I finished my degree in Dental Nursing and started my post graduate Diploma in Trtiary Education, which I am thoroughly enjoying. I was privilaged to be able to help with the COP26 Project this year, which focused on global oral health and the older person, working alongside a wonderful group of women from across the UK and the International field.
At work the mixed practice I work in has seen an increase in patients and things were almost feeling ‘normal’ and in Scotland there were even talks of removing restrictions until the Omicron arrived. So, for now we are sticking with the restrictions to ensure everyone is safe. I am looking forward to undertaking Childsmile training in the spring and hoping 2022 brings some further normality for everyone.
Natasha Edwards – West Midlands Ambassador In 2021 I qualified as a dental nurse, it wasn’t easy training through the pandemic and I moved practice, but I did it and it felt amazing. I have since completed additional courses: Fluoride Varnish Application, Impression Taking and the Introduction to Implants for Dental Nurses. I am excitied to see what 2022 brings, hopefully a lot more learning with new adventures and I am looking forward to my role at SBDN. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.
Alis Fleming- Wales Division I would like to wish everyone a Happy Chirstmas from Wales, a huge appreciation to all dental nurses and dental staff who have worked extremely hard this year through extremely challenging times. I hope everyone hasa Happy New Year.
President: Fiona Ellwood
On setting our objectives for 2021 the Society were realistic yet cautiously ambitious for the future, none of us could truly have known what lay ahead. We celebrate with all of the dental nurses in the UK demonstrating excellence in practice and in learning and recognise the importance of dental nursing feeling valued and respected.
We acknowledge that the workforce shortfalls and challenges continue to challenge our ability to meet the demands and needs of the population and the continued impact of the pandemic. There is no denying that these challenges are not new, what is clear is that the pandemic has shone a light on them.
Concerns grow as there is an under current to make clear what is determined as NHS Dentistry and NHS Dentistry activity and what constitues Private Dentistry. We know that many primary care high street dental practices have mixed contracts and this means that careful, clear and concise messaging is essential if teams are to navigate the future landscape of primary care dentistry well. This means that all members of the dental team need to be considered and all messaging should speak to the whole team, including dental nurses.
The Society’s objectives for 2022 reflect the achievements and successes of 2021 and look to embrace the ambition of dentistry in 2022 through its’ special interest groups and short life working groups. Our ambition stands firmly in relation to:
Mental Health Wellness
Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Sustainability , Reducing Carbon Footprint and Planetry Health
Human Factors & Patient Safety
Mentoring, Coaching and Supervision
We continue to contribute to all stakeholder groups on behalf of dental nurses, write articles and present both nationally and internationally and work closely with the Dental Professional Alliance. What is important is that we continue to work through the voice of our members, the Society prides itself on being dental nurse-centric and giving back to dental nurses. This makes us unique.
Lastly, we would like to encourage you to make a small donation in exchange for a Mental Health Wellness badge to show your support with pride in our drive to take forward Mental Health Wellness in Dentisty. Please contact us via email at admin@bdns.org.uk for further information.
From all of the Committee and Council members we wish you a restful break and all the very best for 2022 and thank you for your continued support.