The sun shone down on the Manchester Central building, where thousands of GDC Registrants flocked to hear about the latest innovations in Dentistry, Seminars, CPD Sessions and not forgetting those freebies being handed out! There was a buzz in the air and the biggest names in dentistry took centre stage when entering the impressive arena. I eagerly took my lanyard and goodie bag and off I went.

As a DCP who has a passion for the growth and development of our Dental Nurses, my mission was to explore the ways in which the skills and potential of Dental Nurse can be utilised to their maximum potential. There is no such things as ‘just a dental nurse’, yet many of us feel that we want to do more, be more hands on and be given more responsibility in the work place.

Extended duties for DCP’s was the first thing on my agenda to investigate as many of the Uk’s Dental Nurses are eager to build on their current skills and knowledge. Extended duties is an excellent way of getting the best out of a Dental Nurse, it creates team effectiveness and excellent practice. It leads to a greater appreciation for each other’s roles and the patient journey is ultimately better.

The extended duties include:

These all require formal post qualification training

There are a number of Post- Qualifications which can be undertaken to supplement being a qualified Dental Nurse-

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Dental Radiography Dental Sedation Special Care Dental Nursing Oral Health Certificate Implant Dental Nursing Orthodontic Dental Nursing

The glass ceiling has somewhat been lifted in relation to progression into other roles. Dental Nurses can become Treatment Co-ordinators, Practice Managers or go onto do formal training in hygiene/hygiene therapy.

It is a general trend that becoming trained in extended duties and/or further post qualifications requires investment of time, money and support from an employer. Naturally, there are barriers to overcome with employers- but the payoff is better job satisfaction and staff retention. It allows Dentists to also get on with their job and deal more with the parts of treatment that generate the income!

The Maslow’s Hierachy of needs is referred to below and is adapted to the role of a Dental Nurse. Whilst it’s a given that the basic needs need to be met, it showes that you cannot feel appreciated, valued or self-fulfilled without the training and feeling part of a team. Even more reason to embrace the extended duties of Dental Nursing!

So the age old notion that nurses will spend their life sat chairside and be ‘the person that uses that suction thing’ is long gone. There are lots of ways to get more involved with the care given to patients. Anyone willing should embrace the numerous options available to you. Let those you work with know you want to do more (you don’t ask, you don’t get!). Be sure to invest in your own learning- don’t wait for opportunities to learn to come to you.

For anyone who did not manage to attend the BDA Conference this year be sure to make time for next years! Registration and attendance to the exhibition is free for GDC registrants and you can even get verifiable CPD from some of the seminars. It’s a great place to network too!