The Society recently held the annual AGM, as always lots to discuss and agree and plans for 2024.
From left to right: Back row- Amanda McLaughlin, Lesley Redman, Emma Riley- Front row: Heidi Cresswell, Clare Faulkner, President Tracy Wallis, Tony Bedford and Donna Lightbody.
It is hard to believe that we are nearly at the end of 2023 and the calendar for 2024 is quickly filling up. A number of key topics came up, including the recent consultations and the publications from the General Dental Council (GDC).
The discussion around CPD and removal from the register continues to be a hot topic as we continue to receive calls. The Society are keen to focus on helping make good decisions and to understand the requirements, all too often the 10-in catches people out and 10-in between cycles. What does this mean? In very simple terms, if you take a year zero in year 5 of your CPD cycle, then you must not take another year zero in year 1 of the next cycle as you will be in breach of the 10/2 rule. The quality of your CPD and the certificate content matters too and if dental nurses undertake only the minimum number of hours (50hrs) and one of those pieces of CPD does not meet the GDC requirements then again you are likely to be deemed as not meeting the requirements. The Society does have a check list for members and offer support if members are at all concerned.
This AGM the appointment of the President-Elect was agreed, Clare Faulkner will shadow the current President Tracy Wallis until November 2024. In the spirit of the core values of the Society Clare is a dental nurse, she is a Dental Matron at Birmingham Dental School and prior to that the principla dental nurse in a local trust. Clare also spent some years in the teaching and training of dental nurses in the Further Education setting and has always kept her hand in as a dental nurse in a high street practice. Clare is currently an MSc student studying Strategic Leadership at Loughborough University.
Further appointments will be announced shortly.