Out and About
NEBDN [National Examining Board for Dental Nurses] meeting in Guy's Hospital, London. Thursday, 3rd April 2008 The Tutors attended the National Examining Board’s Introduction to the Record of Experience for the National Certificate Examination. This Record of Experience will have to be completed in full by all DNs taking the NEBDN National Certificate Examination starting from May 2010.
A meeting organised by NESC in Oxford. Monday, 18th August 2008. The Tutors attended a meeting in Oxford organised by NESC [NHS Education South Central] and chaired by Hazel Coey the NESC DCP Development Tutor. NESC provides Training for Dentists and Dental Care Professionals in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire. The purpose of the meeting was for Tutors to get together to discuss provision of DN training within the area covered by NESC. Dental Nurse Training? Solutions! explained that we offer the NEBDN National Certificate Course in Bracknell, Reading, and Thatcham [near Newbury] in Berkshire. We teach May - May and Nov - Nov. The problems of provision were discussed by all the Tutors and another meeting is to be organised later in the year.
Examining: NEBDN Oral Health Education, Guy's Hospital, London. Saturday, 21st September, 2008. Joan Hatchard was asked by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses to go to London to examine. This Qualification is becoming increasingly popular. Students learn how to educate patients in all aspects of Oral Health and can then become Oral Health Educators.
The NEBDN Yearly Conference, held in Manchester University. Friday 10th October 2008. This conference is for the NEBDN Examiners [many of whom are Tutors]. Examiners are drawn from all sections of the profession. All the qualifications were discussed and various suggestions were made in order to maintain and raise standards. The new Record of Experience [which will be a requirment for all candidates taking the National Certificate Examination from May 2009] was discussed. Beverley Coker was inaugurated as the new Chairman. Eveyone wished the Chief Executive, Mrs Jennider Lavery all the best for her retirement. Mrs Lavery has been the Chief Executive for many years and has made a huge contribution to the NEBDN. We are all sorry to see her go. She has been unfailingly helpful to both Tutors over the years, answering all queries cheerfully and we will miss her support and enthusiasm greatly.
Guest speakers at the BADN Conference. Hilton Hotel in Blackpool. Friday 31st October - Saturday 1st November 2008. We are proud to announce that the British Association of Dental Nurses asked us to run another Revision Day [on the Saturday] for Candidates about to take the National Certificate Examination: PassTime We took about 20 student dental nurses through all the parts of the Examination and answered all their questions. The Revision Day proved to be very successful and the students told us that their confidence increased, and that they enjoyed the day. We wish them all the very best for their National Certificate Examination. The Conference proved to be very successful with a record number of delegates [unfortunately, a large number had to be turned away - so be sure to book early for next year's conference!]. There was also a very large number of recently qualified dental nurses at the conference, no doubt thinking about how to enhance their future careers and advance themselves within the profession. Everyone enjoyed a very large choice of lectures on Friday, including Ethics and Professionalism given by Duncan Rudkin from the GDC, Professional Portfolio Develoment [Sam O'Neil], The Essentials of Decontamination [Kathy Porter], Dental Public Health [Dr Colette Bridgmen], Professional Governance [Dr Janine Brooks], Safeguarding for Dental Nurses [Janet Edwards], Employment Law [Stephen Balfe], Occupational Dematitis [Dr Di Sen], CPD [Stephen Hancocks], Cutting out Cross Infection [Richard McGowan] and Professional Indemnity [Sharon Brennan], The speakers were interesting and informative. On Saturday, the lecture programme included How to Use Nutrition to Improve Your Energey, Stop Food Cravings, Reduce Stress and Keep Yourself Healthy [Dr Marilyn Glenville], Revalidation [Rosemarie Kahn], Professional Indeminity - a Brave New World? [Sharon Brennan], Forensics [David Whittaker], Sleep Apnoea Screening - a Role for Dental Nurses? [Dr Brendan Cooper], Dental Nursing in the British Army [Captain Simon Donal, and Corporal Hannah Taylor], and Mouth Cancer and the Dental Nurse [Dr Vinod Joshi]. As anyone can see, an exciting and easy way to gain CPD points! All the speakers were happy to answer questions, and a large number of delegates stayed behind to ask specific questions to do with their careers. All the delegates enjoyed using the facilities of the lovely Hilton [including the swimming pool and fitness centre] and everyone commented upon the excellent food at all the buffets and the conference dinner on Saturay. A very large number of people went on the especially organised trip on a Blackpool tram to marvel at the wonderful illuminations.
The Tutors are very proud to be able to say that Joan Hatchard was awarded the Fellowship of the BADN. This honour was presented to her at the closing ceremony by the BADN President Angie McBain.
Altogether, a Conference to remember! So book early for 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Annual General Meeting of the BADN National Education Group Friday, 31st October 2008. The BADN NEG is one of the BADN National Groups. Anyone involved in the education of Dental Nurses is welcome to join. Among the topics discussed, were funding for the National Certificate Examination, teaching qualifications for DN Tutors and professional indemnity for DN Tutors.
Organising the Bracknell NEBDN National Certificate Examination Centre. Saturday, 16th November 2008. Due to the very large numbers of Candidates in the UK taking the November Dental Nursing Certificate, Joan Hatchard was asked to organise an extra Centre. This means she had to find venues for both the written paper [in the morning] and the Spotter, Practical and Oral [in the afternoon], organise all the materials and instruments required, and appoint Dental Nurse helpers [experienced DNs]. Sophie Schneider organised the catering for the 5 examiners and the 4 DN helpers. The day went very smoothly for the Presiding Examiner, the other Examiners and the Candidates.
Examining: NEBDN National Certificate Examination, Luton. Saturday, 16th November 2008. One of the Tutors was asked by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses to examine in Luton.
A meeting organised by NESC in Oxford. Monday 1st December 2008. The meeting was chaired by Hazel Coey the NESC Development Tutor. Persons connected with the teaching of Dental Nurses were invited. These included Tutors and also representatives from the Skills Academy for Health and the NESC non-medical Educational Programme [the NESC Quality Manager], Amongst the topics discussed were Professional Indemnity for Tutors, the problems involved in teaching students who have a poor understanding of English, [and the consequent problems for practices when their DNs cannot cope with a Course and cannot pass a qualifying Examination and then cannot be registered with the GDC], the lack of funding for the National Certificate, the adviseability of Employing Dentists carrying out a CRB check on prospective employees, the adviseability to introduce Occupational Health Clearance [such as is undergone by other Healthcare professionals], the number of times which a DN can take a qualifiying Examination [this has not yet been set by the GDC]. Joan Hatchard gave an update on BADN events [as she is a Serving Member of the BADN Council, and the Finance Officer of BADN], Sophie Schneider spoke about the recent BADN National Education AGM, and Hazel Coey reported on NEBDN activites and news. Another meeting is planned in March/April.
Examining: NEBDN Oral Health Education Examination, Manchester. Saturday, 21st March 2009. Joan Hatchard and Sophie Schneider were asked by the National Examining Board for Dental Nurses to examine in Manchester.
Exam Resit Revision Day for DSAs qualified pre-94 who failed to apply to the GDC to be "Grannied-in". London. Friday 17th March 2009.The pre-94 DSA Certificate is no longer awarded. The legislation governing the registration of dental nurses with the GDC allowed holders of this Certificate to register during the initial registration period from July 2006 to 31st July 2008. However, the GDC has now stated that it is no longer possible for holders of this certificate to register with the GDC. if you are not registered with the GDC you may not work as a dental nurse. The NEBDN have agreed to allow holders of pre-1994 NEBDSA Certificates who are as yet unregistered with the GDC to sit the May 2009 National Certificate Examination without completeing a further training Course and without having to complete an additional 24 months chairside experience. As many of the pre-94 DSA qualification have been out of dental nursing for some time the GDC and NEBDN recommend that candidates revise and update before taking the examination. The BADN therefore arranged for a Revision day to be held at the Cavendish Club in London [near Marble Arch]. Places at this day were limited to holders of the pre-94 DSA qualification who are about to take the May 2009 NEBDN National Certificate Examination and applications to sit this should be made to the NEBDN. The GDC has stated that in the interim period until the results of the NEBDN May 2009 examination are announced, unregistered holders of this pre-94 DSA Certificate who are taking the NEBDN May 2009 examination may continue to work as dental nurses as they are technically students awaiting the examination. The Study Day was a great success judging by the comments of the participants, and we wish all of them Good Luck! in the Examination!
A meeting organised by NESC in Oxford. Monday 30th March 2009. The meeting was chaired by Hazel Coey the NESC Development Tutor. Persons who are involved with the teaching of Dental Nurses were invited. A variety of topics were discussed - the NVQ and the NEBDN National Certificate and entry criteria for these courses - there was much discussion about students whose English is not good enough to complete a DN Course or an Examination satisfactorily. Professional Indemnity for Dental Nurses and Dental Nurse Tutors was also discussed. it was mentioned that, trom November 2010, it will be necessary for all persons dealing with children or vulnerable adults to have CRB checks. Another meeting is planned in December 2009.
Organising the Bracknell NEBDN National Certificate Examination Centre Saturday Saturday 16th May 2009. Joan Hatchard has been asked again to organise a Bracknell Examination Centre as there is such a large number of candidates in the UK. Again, this means finding a venue for the Written Examination in the morning, and a practice where the Spotter, Practical and Viva ca be held in the afternoon. Then she will have to organise the instruments and materials, appoint Dental Nurse helpers [experienced DNs] and make sure that everything goes smoothly for the Presiding Examiner, the other Examiners and th Candidates on the day.
The NEBDN Conference and AGM in London 16.10.2009.This is a yearly event when Examiners meets together and discuss various aspects of all the Qualifications.
The BADN National Dental Nursing Conference Friday 23rd - Saturday 24th October. Both Tutors and all the dental nurses from Glenmore Dental [paid for by Dr Schneider] attended the conference in Cheltenham. Both Tutors helped the BADN staff before the Conference began, organise the goody bags provided by the various trade associations. The hotel was elegant, the rooms were sumpruous and the food was delicious. the new BADN President Mrs Sue Bruckell was inaugurated at the conference dinner. The speakers at the conference were excellent and the conference provided the delegates with a large number of CPD hours, We are all looking forward tremendously to next year's conference which is to be in the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool.
Organising the Bracknell NEBDN National Certificate Examination Centre Saturday 21st November 2009. Joan Hatchard againg organised the Bracknell Examination Centre. Just as much work!
Examining: NEBDN National Certificate for Dental Nursing Examination Saturday 21st November 2009. Sophie Schneider was asked by the NEBDN to go to the Luton Centre to examine.