BADN responds to comment made to Dentistry about ARF hike

The British Association of Dental Nurses (BADN) has been in continuous contact with the General Dental Council (GDC) on a number of issues; the most recent being the potential increase in the annual retention fee (ARF) for dental nurses.

The BADN attended a meeting with the GDC and voiced the concerns of its members in relation to the ARF increase; its members do have access to the response.

The key message that the BADN gave was that this increase is unacceptable and the impact could be profound, given that many dental nurses are on the minimum wage and already find it hard to make ends meet.

The BADN also pointed out that such an increase could lead to many dental nurses having to leave the profession in 2015 as they may not be able to afford the ARF, together with a further potential loss of entrants into the dental nursing profession due to the prohibitive cost.

The BADN says it is the UK’s only professional association for dental nurses and works tirelessly on behalf of its members, which ultimately benefits all dental nurses.

Nevertheless, it is important to realise that one of the BADN’s primary objectives is to serve and represent those dental nurses who are BADN members.

If dental nurses are to have a stronger voice, it is imperative that they join the association the BADN believes.