The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN), is conducting a survey on dental nurse recruitment and retention for Debbie Reed of the University of Kent.

Debbie, herself a registered dental nurse, a former chair of BADN and a fellow of the College of General Dentistry (CGDent), is currently director of studies in advanced and specialist healthcare and course director of the MSc in advanced and specialist health in global and lifelong learning at the University of Kent. She said, “I am delighted to be working with BADN on this survey because it is essential to gain insight into the dental nurse community at this time of uncertainty and to gather that insight by taking an ethically approved, methodologically sound research approach. BADN, as the professional body for dental nurses in the UK, is the ideal conduit by which to reach registered dental nurses.

“The aim of the study is to provide insight, by establishing a body of knowledge about the current state of the RDN workforce within the UK, from the perspective of RDNs. As such, it is the intention to share the results of the study with the dental nurse community and associated stakeholders. This information can then be used to inform decisions regarding the measures most appropriate when seeking to retain and encourage RDNs to continue to contribute as part of the dental workforce within the UK.

“The questionnaire is anonymous, and I would urge all dental nurse colleagues to participate; access will be gained via the BADN website towards the end of February. All current BADN members will be sent the access link through their membership system; links will also be available on the BADN Facebook and Twitter accounts, and in the e-newsletter to be sent to all those on the BADN e-newsletter distribution list.

Debra Worthington, BADN president, said, “The current crisis in dental nurse recruitment and retention has a negative impact on access to dental services in the UK. BADN will be reaching out to all our current, and past, members – as well as to non-members through our social media channels and e-newsletters in a concerted effort to find out why dental nurses are leaving the profession and what could be done to persuade them to stay.”

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