DTUK1010

25DCPsApril 19-25, 2010United Kingdom Edition National Osteology Congress www.osteology-uk.org Under the patronage of Book NOW: +44 (0)8701 436 814 Osteology UK 21st–22nd May 2010 Tissue Regeneration: Current Concepts and Future Trends Scientific Seminars and Practical Workshops Scientific Chairmen Professor Nikos Donos, UK & Professor Myron Nevins, USA Geistlich Biomaterials C/O Apex, Exhibition House, London Road Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 7QX Osteology 180mm x 61mm_Layout 1 24/02/2010 15:41 Page 1 A survey into the salaries of dental nurses in the UK, conducted by BADN at the end of 2009, shows that the majority of dental nurses are earning less than £20,000 a year. The majority of dental nurs- es who participated in the survey had been work- ing in dental nursing for more than 10 years (60 per cent), worked more than 35 hours a week (55 per cent), in general practice (63 per cent), and earned between £10,000 and £20,000 a year (62 per cent). Dental nurse salaries are still calculated by the hour (53 per cent), rather than as an an- nual salary (32 per cent), and are paid monthly (94 per cent) into a bank account (87 per cent), although one per cent are still paid in cash. Nearly a fifth (17 per cent) have second jobs, and over a third (35 per cent) are the sole or primary earners in their household. Other findings • 71 per cent of registered den- tal nurses pay their own GDC registration fees • 92 per cent of BADN members pay their own BADN member- ship fees • 34 per cent of student dental nurses pay their own training costs • 45 per cent of employers make no contribution towards CPD costs; only 15 per cent cover all costs associated with CPD • 92 per cent of employers do not provide any additional ben- efits, such as health insurance, pensions, childcare vouchers • 32 per cent of registered dental nurses do not have their own indemnity cover • 18 per cent of registered dental nurses have no indemnity cover at all! “We were shocked, but not par- ticularly surprised, at the results of the survey,” said BADN President Sue Bruckel. “What is particularly disturb- ing is that the majority of the re- spondents were full time, fairly senior, dental nurses with more than 10 years experience – and the salaries are still well below the median pay for full time employees in the UK of around £25,500, according to ASHE and less than half the median pay for full time ‘health profes- sionals’ of around £53,500. “We discovered that most part-time dental nurses, or those who are younger or in more junior posts, were reluc- tant to participate in the survey because their salaries were so low. Of course, had these den- tal nurses actually participated, the results would have been even more damning, and shown more fully the exploitation of a predominantly female work- force, who are now registered healthcare profes- sionals with the attendant additional costs. Inadequate insurance “What is particularly disturbing is the number of dental nurses working without adequate, or in some cases any, indemnity cover. BADN included indem- nity cover in its Full Mem- bership package so dental nurses wouldn’t have the has- sle of having to research the subject themselves, and be- cause economies of scale mean we can obtain cover at a very low premium. I appreciate that the membership fee initially seems a considerable sum of money, but when you consider that this includes £1m indem- nity cover – as well as free veri- fiable CPD, legal advice and a Journal, in addition to other benefits – or the cost of NOT having cover, it really is worth every penny. “BADN will be offer- ing free money boxes to BADN members who visit our stand at the Dental Technology Show, the BDA Conference, Dental Showcase and our own National Dental Nursing Conference to encourage them to save £3.50 each week to cover the cost of BADN membership and the GDC registration fee. “In the meantime, BADN will continue to lobby for a reduc- tion in the GDC registration fee for dental nurses. BADN chief executive Pam Swain and I shall be meeting with the GDC’s new Chair Alison Lockyer and new chief executive Alison White to present them with full details of our survey and a firm request that the matter of dental nurse registration fees be put at the top of the GDC agenda.” DT www.badn.org.uk Waging war on dental nurse wages The majority of dental nurses are still earning less than £20,000 a year, according to BADN’s recent salary survey ‘had these dental nurses actually par- ticipated, the results would have been even more damn- ing, and shown more fully the ex- ploitation of a pre- dominantly female workforce’ £15K-£20K 42% key £10K-£15K 26% £20K-£25K 19% £25K-£30K 5% £30k-£35k 2% < £5K 1% > £35K 1% £5K-£10K 4% 2009 SalarieS (30+ hours per w eek)

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