Are making it a criminal offence for people who are not qualified as a nurse to use the title and mislead the public.
Dawn Butler MP Introduced a bill earlier this year and the report released on the 12th May states that the government is listening to nurses. How does this ipact dental nurses? The report clearly outlines that there will be exemptions made to those legitimately using the title ‘nurse’ such as the dental nurse and the veterinary nurse will continue to be alowed to keep and apply the title ‘nurse’ within their professional title under the exemptions rule.
The Health and Social Care Secretary points out that ‘the British people hold ‘nurses’ in the highest of regard, noting that they need to know they are being seen by a nurse…’ One would hope that in a similar vein , that the Health and Social Care Secretary could view dental nurses in the same light given their role in patient safety.
To read the full report click the following link https://x.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1921845848872296566?t=Y4MgMEmGlC5UFXCoVS6DMw&s=19
The Society have a sense of relief as the title awarded to the profession at the point of registration came about after much hard work and as an end result of the long fought battle for professional registration. The Society has recently had reason to discuss this matter legally whilst looking to take up their trademark and meeting some external challenges and objections. Nothing is ever quite as it seems, but at least the profession can be reassured, that through the exemptions ruling the title will remain in tact. We will keep you updated.
Executive Director Fiona Ellwood said ‘I am delighted to see this being addressed and that the dental nursing title has been acknowledged by government’. She went on to say ‘Having a professional identity is important to both the profession and the public and the last thing we need is change of titles, especially as the title came as a result of the professional registration which although opened in 2006, became mandatory by 2008’. Finally, Fiona makes it clear that this further cements the title and shines a light on the profession, a profession that accoring to the General Dental Council is made up of 66766 individuals and certainly warrants further attention at such levels.