The government has announced significant proposals that impact NHS dental nursing. But will they be adequately funded and supported? Dental nurses share their views.
The NHS 10-Year Health Plan released on 3 July announced that the dental nursing scope of practice would be expanded to include administering fluoride varnish. Dental nurses will also have a key role to play in the introduction of a Neighbourhood Health Service, delivering oral health advice to the community.
We heard from experts in the dental nursing profession on whether they support the changes announced in the plan, what they could achieve, and if there is enough funding and infrastructure to ensure the measures succeed.
Fiona Ellwood, SBDN executive director
On a personal level, I welcome the plan; it is ambitious, and the details are yet to be seen. However, bringing services to the community has the potential to support people in living healthier lives and to help those who are less fortunate access the care they need.
So, what does this mean for dentistry and oral health wellness and for dental nurses in particular, from my perspective?
The plan is centralised on three shifts:
- Hospital to community
- Analogue to Digital
- Sickness to prevention.
With this in mind, we certainly have some work to…
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